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Provisions, including post-retirement benefits - Summary of Provisions, including post-retirement benefits (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items]          
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance $ 13,794 $ 13,066      
Adjustment on currency translation 846 (56)      
Adjustments to mining properties          
– changes in estimate 710 (123)      
Charged/(credited) to profit:          
– increases to existing and new provisions 797 1,630      
– unused amounts reversed (187) (239)      
– exchange (gains)/losses on provisions (83) 13      
– amortisation of discount 383 338 $ 378    
Utilised in year (1,053) (997)      
Actuarial losses recognised in equity 121 152      
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated (d) (622) (63)      
Transfers to assets held for sale (64) (4)      
Transfers and other movements   77      
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance 14,642 13,794 13,066    
Balance sheet analysis:          
Current       $ 1,275 $ 1,315
Non-current       13,367 12,479
Total 13,794 13,794 $ 13,066 14,642 13,794
Pensions and post retirement healthcare [member]          
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items]          
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance 3,167        
Adjustment on currency translation 200        
Charged/(credited) to profit:          
– increases to existing and new provisions 233        
Utilised in year (339)        
Actuarial losses recognised in equity 121        
Transfers to assets held for sale (13)        
Transfers and other movements 1        
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance 3,370 3,167      
Balance sheet analysis:          
Current       84  
Non-current       3,286  
Total 3,167 3,167   3,370 3,167
Other employee entitlements [member]          
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items]          
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance 450        
Adjustment on currency translation 34        
Charged/(credited) to profit:          
– increases to existing and new provisions 96        
– unused amounts reversed (37)        
Utilised in year (84)        
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated (d) (69)        
Transfers to assets held for sale (4)        
Transfers and other movements 3        
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance 389 450      
Balance sheet analysis:          
Current       277  
Non-current       112  
Total 450 450   389 450
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member]          
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items]          
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance 8,722        
Adjustment on currency translation 502        
Adjustments to mining properties          
– changes in estimate 710        
Charged/(credited) to profit:          
– increases to existing and new provisions 230        
– unused amounts reversed (61)        
– exchange (gains)/losses on provisions (40)        
– amortisation of discount 348        
Utilised in year (268)        
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated (d) (102)        
Transfers to assets held for sale (47)        
Transfers and other movements (11)        
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance 9,983 8,722      
Balance sheet analysis:          
Current       634  
Non-current       9,349  
Total 8,722 8,722   9,983 8,722
Other [member]          
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items]          
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance 1,455        
Adjustment on currency translation 110        
Charged/(credited) to profit:          
– increases to existing and new provisions 238        
– unused amounts reversed (89)        
– exchange (gains)/losses on provisions (43)        
– amortisation of discount 35        
Utilised in year (362)        
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated (d) (451)        
Transfers and other movements 7        
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance 900 1,455      
Balance sheet analysis:          
Current       280  
Non-current       620  
Total $ 1,455 $ 1,455   $ 900 $ 1,455