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Intangible assets - Summary of intangible assets (Footnotes) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | $ 2,637 | $ 2,779 | $ 3,119
Disposals, transfers and other movements | $ (170) | $ (134) |
Quebec smelters |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value less costs of disposal, post-tax discount rate | 6.60% | 6.80% |
Water rights | Quebec smelters |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | $ 1,759 | $ 1,684 |
Trademarks | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P14Y |  |
Trademarks | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P20Y |  |
Patented and non-patented technology | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P10Y |  |
Patented and non-patented technology | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P20Y |  |
Power contracts water rights | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P2Y |  |
Power contracts water rights | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P45Y |  |
Other purchase and customer contracts | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P5Y |  |
Other purchase and customer contracts | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P15Y |  |
Computer software | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P2Y |  |
Computer software | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P5Y |  |
Other intangible assets |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | $ 473 | 505 | 463
Disposals, transfers and other movements | $ 47 | 103 |
Other intangible assets | Bottom of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P2Y |  |
Other intangible assets | Top of range [member] |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Finite life intangible assets, useful lives | P20Y |  |
Exploration and evaluation |  |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Intangible assets | $ 173 | 233 | $ 393
Disposals, transfers and other movements | $ (116) | $ (225) |

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