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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, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Jan. 01, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Jan. 01, 2018
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | $ 13,608 | $ 14,642 |  |  |  |
Adjustment to opening balance on transition to new accounting standard |  |  |  | $ (66) |  |
Restated opening balance |  |  |  | 13,542 |  | $ 14,642
Adjustment on currency translation | 65 | (898) |  |  |  |
Adjustments to mining properties: |  |  |  |  |  |
– changes in estimate | 840 | 486 |  |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 850 | 1,137 |  |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (100) | (144) |  |  |  |
– exchange losses on provisions | 3 | 16 |  |  |  |
– amortisation of discount | 387 | 381 |  |  |  |
Utilised in year | (744) | (837) |  |  |  |
Actuarial losses/(gains) recognised in equity | 235 | (781) |  |  |  |
Subsidiaries no longer consolidated |  | (318) |  |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | 25 | (76) |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 15,103 | 13,608 |  |  |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | $ 1,399 |  | $ 1,056 |
Non-current |  |  | 13,704 |  | 12,552 |
Total | 15,103 | 13,608 | 15,103 |  | 13,608 |
Pensions and post retirement healthcare [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 2,486 |  |  |  |  |
Restated opening balance |  |  |  | 2,486 |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | 51 |  |  |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 166 |  |  |  |  |
Utilised in year | (205) |  |  |  |  |
Actuarial losses/(gains) recognised in equity | 235 |  |  |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | (19) |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 2,714 | 2,486 |  |  |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 73 |  |  |
Non-current |  |  | 2,641 |  |  |
Total | 2,714 | 2,486 | 2,714 |  | 2,486 |
Other employee entitlements [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 360 |  |  |  |  |
Restated opening balance |  |  |  | 360 |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (1) |  |  |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 90 |  |  |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (20) |  |  |  |  |
Utilised in year | (78) |  |  |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | 3 |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 354 | 360 |  |  |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 260 |  |  |
Non-current |  |  | 94 |  |  |
Total | 354 | 360 | 354 |  | 360 |
Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 9,975 |  |  |  |  |
Restated opening balance |  |  |  | 9,975 |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | 17 |  |  |  |  |
Adjustments to mining properties: |  |  |  |  |  |
– changes in estimate | 840 |  |  |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 171 |  |  |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (19) |  |  |  |  |
– exchange losses on provisions | 3 |  |  |  |  |
– amortisation of discount | 383 |  |  |  |  |
Utilised in year | (330) |  |  |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | 50 |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 11,090 | 9,975 |  |  |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 541 |  |  |
Non-current |  |  | 10,549 |  |  |
Total | 11,090 | 9,975 | 11,090 |  | 9,975 |
Other [member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance | 787 |  |  |  |  |
Adjustment to opening balance on transition to new accounting standard |  |  |  | (66) |  |
Restated opening balance |  |  |  | $ 721 |  |
Adjustment on currency translation | (2) |  |  |  |  |
Charged/(credited) to profit: |  |  |  |  |  |
– increases to existing and new provisions | 423 |  |  |  |  |
– unused amounts reversed | (61) |  |  |  |  |
– amortisation of discount | 4 |  |  |  |  |
Utilised in year | (131) |  |  |  |  |
Transfers and other movements | (9) |  |  |  |  |
Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance | 945 | 787 |  |  |  |
Balance sheet analysis: |  |  |  |  |  |
Current |  |  | 525 |  |  |
Non-current |  |  | 420 |  |  |
Total | $ 945 | $ 787 | $ 945 |  | $ 787 |

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- Definition The decrease in other provisions resulting from the loss of control of a subsidiary. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount of expense recognised due to the unwinding of the discount on provisions, resulting from the effect of the passage of time. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) in an accounting estimate that has an effect in the current period or is expected to have an effect in future periods. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 8 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 39 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=8&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_39&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) in other provisions resulting from foreign currency exchange rate changes on provisions measured in a currency different from the entity's presentation currency. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) in other provisions resulting from transfers and changes that the entity does not separately disclose in the same statement or note. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount of non-current provisions. [Refer: Provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 54 -Subparagraph l -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_54_l&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount used (ie incurred and charged against the provision) for other provisions. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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- Definition The amount reversed for unused other provisions. [Refer: Other provisions] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 37 -IssueDate 2019-01-01 -Paragraph 84 -Subparagraph d -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=37&code=ifrs-tx-2019-en-r&anchor=para_84_d&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2019-03-27 + Details
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