XML 206 R104.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3.a.u2
Operating segments - Summary of tax charge 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]      
Taxation $ (4,147) $ (4,242) $ (3,965)
Reportable segments [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (4,834) (3,929) (4,030)
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (4,198) (2,830) (2,872)
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (211) (532) (543)
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (65) (118) (48)
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (411) (500) (651)
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation 51 51 84
Inter-segment transactions [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation 2 0 0
Product group [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (4,832) (3,929) (4,030)
Other items [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation 67 276 261
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation 83 38 36
Finance costs [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation 144 174 364
Underlying earnings [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation (4,538) (3,441) (3,369)
Tax charge excluded from underlying earnings [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Taxation $ 391 $ (801) $ (596)