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Investments in equity accounted units - Summary of Investments in equity accounted units (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
--- | --- | --- | ---
Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
Non-current assets | $ 70,499 | $ 70,047 |
Current assets | 17,303 | 20,168 |
Total assets | 87,802 | 90,949 |
Non-current liabilities | (31,435) | (30,261) |
Total liabilities | (42,560) | (41,126) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | 3,971 | 4,299 |
Investment in equity accounted units [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] |  |  |
Non-current assets | 5,820 | 6,000 |
Current assets | 831 | 887 |
Total assets | 6,651 | 6,887 |
Current liabilities | (675) | (607) |
Non-current liabilities | (2,005) | (1,981) |
Total liabilities | (2,680) | (2,588) |
Rio Tinto's share of net assets | $ 3,971 | $ 4,299 | $ 4,486

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