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Group balance sheet (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Line Items]
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	0
Net tangible assets per share	$ 22.22	$ 23.12
Rio Tinto plc [member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Line Items]
Ordinary shares issued	1,315,100,000
Number of shares held by public	1,315,100,000
Rio Tinto Limited [member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Line Items]
Ordinary shares issued	412,400,000
Number of shares held by public	412,400,000

X

- Definition

The number of shares issued by the entity.

+ References

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- Definition

The number of shares that have been authorised and issued, reduced by treasury shares held. [Refer: Treasury shares]

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- Definition

The number of shares in the entity held by the entity or by its subsidiaries or associates. [Refer: Associates [member]; Subsidiaries [member]]

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Condensed consolidated statements of financial position.

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- Definition

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