XML 153 R146.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1

Intangible assets - Summary of exploration and evaluation expenditure (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Exploration And Evaluation Expenditure [Abstract]
Net proceeds on disposal of undeveloped projects	$ 3	$ 208	$ 0

X

- Definition

The cash inflow from the disposal of exploration and evaluation assets. [Refer: Exploration and evaluation assets [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2016-01-13
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_16&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2016-03-31

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Exploration and evaluation expenditure [abstract]

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rio_ExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration