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Provisions, including post-retirement benefits - Summary of Provisions, including post-retirement benefits (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | $ 14,642 | $ 13,794 |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (898) | 846 |  |
Adjustments to mining properties: |  |  |  |
– changes in estimate | 486 | 710 |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 1,137 | 797 |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (144) | (187) |  |
– exchange losses/(gains) on provisions | 16 | (83) |  |
– amortisation of discount | 381 | 383 |  |
Utilised in year | (837) | (1,053) |  |
Actuarial (gains)/losses recognised in equity | (781) | 121 |  |
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated | (318) | (622) |  |
Transfers and other movements | (76) | (64) |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 13,608 | 14,642 |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | $ 1,056 | $ 1,275
Non-current |  |  | 12,552 | 13,367
Total | 14,642 | 14,642 | 13,608 | 14,642
Pensions and post retirement healthcare [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 3,370 |  |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (145) |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 267 |  |  |
Utilised in year | (219) |  |  |
Actuarial (gains)/losses recognised in equity | (781) |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | (6) |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 2,486 | 3,370 |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 79 |
Non-current |  |  | 2,407 |
Total | 3,370 | 3,370 | 2,486 | 3,370
Other employee entitlements [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 389 |  |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (37) |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 185 |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (36) |  |  |
Utilised in year | (122) |  |  |
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated | (29) |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | 10 |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 360 | 389 |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 274 |
Non-current |  |  | 86 |
Total | 389 | 389 | 360 | 389
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 9,983 |  |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (656) |  |  |
Adjustments to mining properties: |  |  |  |
– changes in estimate | 486 |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 456 |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (38) |  |  |
– exchange losses/(gains) on provisions | 13 |  |  |
– amortisation of discount | 372 |  |  |
Utilised in year | (319) |  |  |
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated | (257) |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | (65) |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 9,975 | 9,983 |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 476 |
Non-current |  |  | 9,499 |
Total | 9,983 | 9,983 | 9,975 | 9,983
Other [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 900 |  |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (60) |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 229 |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (70) |  |  |
– exchange losses/(gains) on provisions | 3 |  |  |
– amortisation of discount | 9 |  |  |
Utilised in year | (177) |  |  |
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated | (32) |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | (15) |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 787 | 900 |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 227 |
Non-current |  |  | 560 |
Total | $ 900 | $ 900 | $ 787 | $ 900

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- Definition The decrease in other provisions resulting from the loss of control of a subsidiary. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2017-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=37&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2017-03-09 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) in other provisions resulting from transfers and changes that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2017-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=37&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2017-03-09 + Details
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