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Operating segments - Summary of underlying earnings 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]      
Underlying earnings $ 10,373 $ 8,808 $ 8,627
Items excluded from underlying earnings (2,363) 4,830 135
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 8,010 13,638 8,762
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 9,638 6,531 6,695
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 599 1,347 1,583
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 554 1,054 263
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 611 995 1,239
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings (89) (102) (138)
Reportable segments [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 11,313 9,825 9,642
Reportable segments [Member] | Iron ore [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 9,638 6,531 6,695
Reportable segments [Member] | Aluminium [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 599 1,347 1,583
Reportable segments [Member] | Copper & Diamonds [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 554 1,054 263
Reportable segments [Member] | Energy & Minerals [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 611 995 1,239
Reportable segments [Member] | Other operations [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (89) (102) (138)
Inter-segment transactions [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings (3) 0 0
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (3) 0 0
Product group [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Underlying earnings 11,310 9,825 9,642
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 11,310 9,825 9,642
Central Pension Costs, Share-Based Payments & Insurance [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto 60 (90) (48)
Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (94) (190) (124)
Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (231) (193) (178)
Central Costs [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (550) (410) (311)
Finance costs [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (122) (134) (354)
Underlying earnings [Member]      
Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items]      
Net earnings – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto $ 10,373 $ 8,808 $ 8,627