XML 324 R121.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1

Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units - Summary of share of profit after tax of equity accounted units (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Equity Accounted Units [Line Items]
Sales revenue: Rio Tinto share	$ 40,522	$ 40,030	$ 33,781
Operating costs	(27,115)	(26,983)	(26,799)
Finance items	(33)	(1,658)	(773)
Profit before taxation	18,167	12,816	6,343
Taxation	(4,242)	(3,965)	(1,567)
Rio Tinto [member]
Disclosure Of Equity Accounted Units [Line Items]
Sales revenue: Rio Tinto share	2,497	1,960	1,727
Operating costs	(1,656)	(1,400)	(1,237)
Profit before finance items and taxation	841	560	490
Finance items	(69)	(47)	(33)
Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units	14	17	20
Profit before taxation	786	530	477
Taxation	(273)	(191)	(156)
Profit for the year (Rio Tinto share)	$ 513	$ 339	$ 321

X

- Definition

The amount of income or cost associated with interest and other financing activities of the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 85
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_FinanceIncomeCost
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The aggregate amount included in the determination of profit (loss) for the period in respect of current tax and deferred tax that relate to continuing operations. [Refer: Continuing operations [member]; Current tax expense (income); Deferred tax expense (income)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-Subparagraph h
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_23_h&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 26
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 35
-Subparagraph b
-Clause viii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=26&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_35_b_viii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 79
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_79&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_81_c_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 82
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_82_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 81
-Subparagraph c
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_81_c_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph B13
-Subparagraph g
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_B13_g&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of all operating expenses.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 85
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_OperatingExpense
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The profit (loss) from continuing operations before tax expense or income. [Refer: Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_28_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_23&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 103
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProfitLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The profit (loss) from continuing operations. [Refer: Continuing operations [member]; Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_28_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_23&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph B12
-Subparagraph b
-Clause vi
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_B12_b_vi&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 81A
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_81A_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The income arising in the course of an entity's ordinary activities. Income is increases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of inflows or enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in an increase in equity, other than those relating to contributions from equity participants.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_28_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 23
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_23_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 32
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_32&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 33
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_33_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 8
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 34
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=8&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_34&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 82
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_82_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 103
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_103&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Note Expiry date 2018-01-01
-Name IAS
-Number 18
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 35
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=18&date=2017-03-02&anchor=para_35_b&doctype=Standard&book=B
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 102
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_102&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph B12
-Subparagraph b
-Clause v
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_B12_b_v&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph B10
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_B10_b&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_Revenue
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The entity's share of the profit (loss) of associates accounted for using the equity method. [Refer: Associates [member]; Investments accounted for using equity method; Profit (loss)]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 85
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_85&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Disclosure of equity accounted units.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rio_DisclosureOfEquityAccountedUnitsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Profit Loss From Continuing Operations Before Finance Items And Taxation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rio_ProfitLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=rio_RioTintoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: