XML 384 R207.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.19.3.a.u2

Contingencies and commitments - Summary of capital commitments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
--- | --- | ---
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | $ 4,053 | $ 2,283
Joint ventures [Member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 93 | 116
Within 1 year [member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 3,069 | 1,742
Within 1 year [member] | Joint ventures [Member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 92 | 115
Between 1 and 3 years [member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 851 | 439
Between 1 and 3 years [member] | Joint ventures [Member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 1 | 1
Between 3 and 5 years [member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | 133 | 66
More than 5 years [member] |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Capital commitments | $ 0 | $ 36

X
- Definition The amount of future capital expenditures that the entity is committed to make. + 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
Name: | ifrs-full_CapitalCommitments
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rio_DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | rio_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_JointVenturesAxis=ifrs-full_JointVenturesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_MaturityAxis=ifrs-full_NotLaterThanOneYearMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_MaturityAxis=ifrs-full_LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_MaturityAxis=ifrs-full_LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_MaturityAxis=ifrs-full_LaterThanFiveYearsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |