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Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure Of Net Operating Costs Excluding Items Shown Separately [Abstract] |
Summary of net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) |
| Note | 2019 US$m |  | 2018 US$m |  | 2017 US$m |
Raw materials, consumables, repairs and maintenance |  | 9,485 |  | 10,613 |  | 9,286 |
Amortisation of intangible assets | 13 | 133 |  | 133 |  | 177 |
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 14 | 4,251 |  | 3,882 |  | 4,198 |
Employment costs | 5 | 4,522 |  | 4,728 |  | 4,765 |
Shipping and other freight costs(a) |  | 2,257 |  | 2,580 |  | 2,338 |
Decrease/(increase) in finished goods and work in progress |  | 42 |  | (186 | ) | (82 | )
Royalties |  | 2,501 |  | 2,117 |  | 2,228 |
Amounts charged by equity accounted units(b) |  | 1,136 |  | 1,200 |  | 980 |
Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses |  | (52 | ) | (56 | ) | 61 |
Other external costs(a)(c) |  | 3,627 |  | 3,184 |  | 3,967 |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment(d) |  | 31 |  | (506 | ) | (32 | )
Provisions (including exchange differences on provisions) | 26 | 753 |  | 1,011 |  | 527 |
Research and development |  | 45 |  | 45 |  | 58 |
Costs included above qualifying for capitalisation |  | (651 | ) | (589 | ) | (486 | )
Other operating income |  | (773 | ) | (1,041 | ) | (1,002 | )
Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) |  | 27,307 |  | 27,115 |  | 26,983 |

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