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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