XML 275 R72.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Inventories (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure Of Inventories [Abstract] |
Summary of inventories |
|  | 2018 |  | 2017 |
| US$m |  | US$m |
Raw materials and purchased components |  | 734 |  |  | 648 |
Consumable stores |  | 862 |  |  | 875 |
Work in progress |  | 1,026 |  |  | 1,082 |
Finished goods and goods for resale |  | 977 |  |  | 1,027 |
Total inventories |  | 3,599 |  |  | 3,632 |
Comprising: |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected to be used within one year |  | 3,447 |  |  | 3,472 |
Expected to be used after more than one year |  | 152 |  |  | 160 |
Total inventories |  | 3,599 |  |  | 3,632 |

X
- Definition The disclosure of detailed information about inventories. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutInventoriesExplanatory
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure Of Inventories [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_DisclosureOfInventoriesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration