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Trade and other receivables - Summary of trade and other receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Trade And Other Receivables [Abstract]
Net of provisions for doubtful debts	$ 55	$ 66
Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss, trade receivables	38
Unused provision reversed, other provisions	$ 11

X

- Definition

The amount of an allowance account used to record impairments to financial assets due to credit losses. [Refer: Financial assets]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Note Expiry date 2018-01-01
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2016-01-13
-Paragraph 16
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_16&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2016-03-31

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of impairment loss recognised in profit or loss for trade receivables. [Refer: Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss; Trade receivables]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2016-01-13
-Paragraph 112
-Subparagraph c
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2016-03-30&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2016-03-31

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Reversal of unused provision for doubtful debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration