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Operating segments - Summary of tax charge 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] |  |  |
Tax charge | $ 4,242 | $ 3,965 | $ 1,567
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 3,929 | 4,030 | 2,114
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron Ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 2,819 | 2,871 | 2,005
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 532 | 543 | 171
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 118 | 48 | (320)
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 511 | 652 | 331
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | (51) | (84) | (73)
Other items [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | (276) | (261) | (191)
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | (38) | (36) | (27)
Finance costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | (174) | (364) | (484)
Underlying earnings [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | 3,441 | 3,369 | 1,412
Tax charge excluded from underlying earnings [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Tax charge | $ 801 | $ 596 | $ 155

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