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Segmental information - Reconciliation of underlying earnings to net earnings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2020
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), pre-tax [abstract] |  |
Underlying earnings, pre-tax | $ 17,918 |
Impairment loss | 0 | $ 1,134
Exchange gains/(losses) on net debt and intragroup balances, pre-tax | 374 |
Losses on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, pre-tax | (52) |
(Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, pre-tax | (16) |
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), pre-tax | (175) |
Items excluded from underlying earnings pre-tax | 131 |
Profit before taxation | 18,049 | 5,279
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), tax [abstract] |  |
Underlying earnings, tax | (4,999) |
Impairment charges, tax | 0 |
Exchange gains/(losses) on net debt and intragroup balances, tax | (34) |
Losses on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, tax | 10 |
(Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, tax | 0 |
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites, tax | 42 |
Total excluded from underlying earnings, tax | 18 |
Taxation | (4,981) | (1,828)
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), non-controlling interests [abstract] |  |
Underlying earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | (753) |
Non-controlling interests | 0 |
Exchange gains/(losses) on net debt and intragroup balances, noncontrolling interests | 7 |
Losses on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, noncontrolling interests | (3) |
(Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, noncontrolling interests | (6) |
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites, noncontrolling interests | 0 |
Total excluded from underlying earnings, noncontrolling interests | (2) |
Profit (loss), attributable to non-controlling interests | (755) | (135)
Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), net [abstract] |  |
Underlying earnings, net | 12,166 | 4,750
Impairment charges, net | 0 | 1,033
Exchange gains/(losses) on net debt and intragroup balances, net | 347 | (149)
Losses on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, net | (45) | (167)
(Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, net | (22) | 33
Net losses from movements to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites, net | (133) | (118)
Total excluded from underlying earnings, net | 147 | (1,434)
Net earnings, attributable to owners of Rio Tinto | $ 12,313 | $ 3,316

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