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Investments in equity accounted units - Summary of Investments in equity accounted units (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
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Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
– Non-current assets | $ 70,047 | $ 76,554 |
– Current assets | 20,168 | 18,678 |
Total assets | 90,949 | 95,726 |
– Non-current liabilities | (30,261) | (33,262) |
Total liabilities | (41,126) | (44,611) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | 4,299 | 4,486 |
Investment in equity accounted units [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
– Non-current assets | 6,000 | 5,913 |
– Current assets | 887 | 990 |
Total assets | 6,887 | 6,903 |
– Current liabilities | (607) | (654) |
– Non-current liabilities | (1,981) | (1,763) |
Total liabilities | (2,588) | (2,417) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | $ 4,299 | $ 4,486 | $ 5,019

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