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Operating segments - Summary of gross sales revenue within the reportable segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 40,522 | $ 40,030 | $ 33,781
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 42,850 | 41,872 | 35,329
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron Ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 18,485 | 18,251 | 14,605
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 12,191 | 11,005 | 9,458
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 6,468 | 4,842 | 4,524
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 5,697 | 7,764 | 6,734
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 9 | 10 | 8
Inter-segment transactions [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | (15) | (15) | (11)
Product group [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 42,835 | 41,857 | 35,318
Items excluded from underlying earnings [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue |  | 10 | 18
Gross sales revenue [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 42,835 | 41,867 | 35,336
Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenue | $ (2,313) | $ (1,837) | $ (1,555)

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