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Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited - Summary of share capital (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Nov. 30, 2018 | Nov. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment on currency translation |  |  | $ 386 |  |
Rio Tinto Limited [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance |  |  | 4,140 | $ 3,915 | $ 3,950
Adjustment on currency translation |  |  | (382) | 310 | (35)
Ordinary shares purchased and cancelled |  |  | (281) | (85) |
Issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance |  |  | $ 3,477 | $ 4,140 | $ 3,915
Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance |  |  | 412,410,000 | 424,190,000 | 424,190,000
Ordinary shares purchased and cancelled | (41,198,134) | (11,778,064) | (41,200,000) | (11,780,000) |
Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance |  |  | 371,210,000 | 412,410,000 | 424,190,000
Rio Tinto Limited [member] | Special voting share [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Other share classes |  |  | 1 only | 1 only | 1 only
Rio Tinto Limited [member] | DLC dividend share [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Other share classes |  |  | 1 only | 1 only | 1 only

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