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Operating segments - Summary of Underlying EBITDA (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | $ 21,197 | $ 18,136 | $ 18,580
Items excluded from underlying EBITDA | (722) | 5,127 | 1,912
EBITDA | 20,475 | 23,263 | 20,492
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges in subsidiaries and equity accounted units | (8,412) | (4,691) | (5,746)
Taxation and finance items in equity accounted units | (296) | (372) | (272)
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 11,767 | 18,200 | 14,474
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 22,141 | 19,319 | 19,534
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 16,098 | 11,378 | 11,547
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 16,098 | 11,378 | 11,547
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 2,285 | 3,095 | 3,423
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 2,285 | 3,095 | 3,423
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 2,073 | 2,776 | 1,904
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 2,073 | 2,776 | 1,904
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 1,762 | 2,140 | 2,776
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 1,762 | 2,140 | 2,776
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | (77) | (70) | (116)
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | (77) | (70) | (116)
Inter-segment transactions [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | (9) | 0 | 0
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | (9) | 0 | 0
Product group [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 22,132 | 19,319 | 19,534
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | 22,132 | 19,319 | 19,534
Central Pension Costs, Share-Based Payments & Insurance [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | 59 | (128) | (68)
Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | (183) | (272) | (177)
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | (183) | (272) | (177)
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | (315) | (231) | (218)
Central Costs [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Underlying EBITDA | (496) | (552) | (491)
Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax | $ (496) | $ (552) | $ (491)

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