XML 374 R171.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1

Consolidated net cash/(debt) - Analysis of changes in consolidated net cash/(debt) (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of financial liabilities [Abstract]
Overdrafts	$ 1	$ 3
Total other current financial liabilities	1,073	904
Highly liquid financial assets held in managed investment funds classified as held for trading	2,522	958
Borrowings (including finance leases) Excluding Overdraft [Member]
Disclosure of financial liabilities [Abstract]
Overdrafts	1	3
Total other current financial liabilities	761	352
Other current non-financial liabilities	407	524
Over Draft
Disclosure of financial liabilities [Abstract]
Overdrafts	$ 1	$ 3

X

- Definition

The amount that has been withdrawn from an account in excess of existing cash balances. This is considered a short-term extension of credit by the bank. [Refer: Cash and cash equivalents]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_45&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_BankOverdraftsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss classified as held for trading. A financial asset is classified as held for trading if: (a) it is acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the near term; (b) on initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of a recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or (c) it is a derivative (except for a derivative that is a financial guarantee contract or a designated and effective hedging instrument). [Refer: At fair value [member]; Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Note Expiry date 2018-01-01
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 8
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2017-03-02&anchor=para_8_a&doctype=Standard&book=B
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossClassifiedAsHeldForTrading
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of current financial liabilities that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Other financial liabilities; Current financial liabilities]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph B13
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_B13_b&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2017-03-09

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 54
-Subparagraph m
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_54_m&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of current non-financial liabilities that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Other financial liabilities]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2017-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2017-03-01&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2017-03-09

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_OtherCurrentNonfinancialLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_BorrowingsByNameAxis=rio_BorrowingsExcludingOverdraftMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_BorrowingsByNameAxis=rio_OverdraftMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: