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v3.19.3.a.u2

Contingencies and commitments - Additional information (Detail) £ in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 GBP (£)
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contractual capital commitments | $ 900.0 | $ 400.0 |  |
Borrowings | $ 14,115.0 | 12,752.0 |  |
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd(including Oyu Tolgoi LLC) [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Group interest (%) | 51.00% |  |  |
Oyu Tolgoi Llc [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Borrowings | $ 4,300.0 | 4,300.0 |  |
Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Group interest (%) | (34.00%) |  |  |
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Group interest (%) | 66.00% |  |  |
United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Financial penalty |  |  | $ 36.4 | £ 27.4
Minera Escondida Limitada [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Minera Escondida Limitada undrawn shareholder line of credit Rio Tinto share | $ 225.0 | 225.0 |  |
Group interest (%) | 30.00% |  |  |
Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc [Member] | Contingent liabilities related to joint ventures [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Contractual Payments |  | 10.5 |  |
Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc [Member] | Contingent liabilities related to joint ventures [Member] | Financial guarantee contracts [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amounts guaranteed by parent companies | $ 7,500.0 | 7,500.0 |  |
Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc [Member] | Contingent liabilities related to joint ventures [Member] | Financial guarantee contracts [Member] | Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amounts guaranteed by parent companies | 4,400.0 | 4,400.0 |  |
Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc [Member] | Contingent liabilities related to joint ventures [Member] | Financial guarantee contracts [Member] | Bonds [Member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Amounts guaranteed by parent companies | $ 1,600.0 | $ 1,600.0 |  |

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