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Operating segments - Summary of capital expenditure 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] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | $ 5,439 | $ 4,844 | $ 4,344
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | 49 | 586 | 138
Capital expenditure per cash flow statement | 5,488 | 5,430 | 4,482
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 5,831 | 5,279 | 4,691
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 1,741 | 1,302 | 1,214
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 1,456 | 1,373 | 1,436
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 2,087 | 2,150 | 1,622
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 551 | 442 | 454
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | (4) | 12 | (35)
Other items [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | 64 | 65 | 70
Capital expenditure of equity accounted units [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Capital expenditure | $ (456) | (500) | $ (417)
Kitimat [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets |  | $ 508 |

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