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Operating segments - Summary of gross sales revenue 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] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | $ 43,165 | $ 40,522 | $ 40,030
Reportable segments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 45,398 | 42,850 | 41,872
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 24,075 | 18,731 | 18,466
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 10,340 | 12,191 | 11,005
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 5,815 | 6,468 | 4,842
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 5,150 | 5,451 | 7,549
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 18 | 9 | 10
Inter-segment transactions [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | (31) | (15) | (15)
Product group [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 45,367 | 42,835 | 41,857
Items excluded from underlying earnings [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 0 | 0 | 10
Gross sales revenue [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Consolidated sales revenue | 45,367 | 42,835 | 41,867
Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] |  |  |
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] |  |  |
Sales revenue | $ (2,202) | $ (2,313) | $ (1,837)

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