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Operating segments - Summary of underlying earnings within the reportable segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | $ 10,373 | $ 8,808 | $ 8,627
Items excluded from underlying earnings | (2,363) | 4,830 | 135
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 8,010 | 13,638 | 8,762
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 9,638 | 6,531 | 6,695
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 599 | 1,347 | 1,583
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 554 | 1,054 | 263
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 611 | 995 | 1,239
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | (89) | (102) | (138)
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 11,313 | 9,825 | 9,642
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 9,638 | 6,531 | 6,695
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 599 | 1,347 | 1,583
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 554 | 1,054 | 263
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 611 | 995 | 1,239
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (89) | (102) | (138)
Inter-segment transactions [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | (3) | 0 | 0
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (3) | 0 | 0
Product group [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying earnings | 11,310 | 9,825 | 9,642
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 11,310 | 9,825 | 9,642
Central Pension Costs, Share-Based Payments & Insurance [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | 60 | (90) | (48)
Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (94) | (190) | (124)
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (231) | (193) | (178)
Central Costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (550) | (410) | (311)
Finance costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | (122) | (134) | (354)
Underlying earnings [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | $ 10,373 | $ 8,808 | $ 8,627

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