XML 676 R185.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1

Principal associates - Summary of principal associates (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	0	0	0
Boyne Smelters Limited
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Country of incorporation of associate	Australia
Principal activities, Associate	Aluminium smelting
Boyne Smelters Limited | Ordinary
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Company of operation, Associate	Boyne Smelters Limited
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	153,679,560
Proportion of class held (%), Associate	59.40%
Group interest (%), Associate	59.40%
Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A.
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Country of incorporation of associate	Brazil
Principal activities, Associate	Bauxite mining
Group interest (%), Associate	12.00%
Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A. | Ordinary
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	25,000,000,000
Proportion of class held (%), Associate	12.50%
Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A. | Preferred
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Company of operation, Associate	Mineração Rio do Norte S.A.
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	47,000,000,000
Proportion of class held (%), Associate	11.75%
Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A. | Ordinary and Preferred
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Group interest (%), Associate	12.00%
Halco (Mining) Inc
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Country of incorporation of associate	US
Principal activities, Associate	Bauxite mining
Group interest (%), Associate	51.00%
Halco (Mining) Inc | Common
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Company of operation, Associate	Halco (Mining) Inc.
Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc	4,500
Proportion of class held (%), Associate	45.00%
Group interest (%), Associate	45.00%
Compagnie des Bauxites de Guine | Halco (Mining) Inc
Disclosure of associates [Line Items]
Company of operation, Subsidiary	Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée
Country of incorporation, Subsidiary	Guinea

X

- Definition

The country in which an associate of the entity is incorporated. [Refer: Associates [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_16_b_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph b
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_17_b_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_21_a_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CountryOfIncorporationOrResidenceOfAssociate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The country in which a subsidiary of the entity is incorporated. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_16_b_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph b
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_17_b_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_12_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 19B
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_19B_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CountryOfIncorporationOrResidenceOfSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The description of the nature of the entity's relationship with an associate (for example, describing the nature of the activities of the associate and whether they are strategic to the entity's activities). [Refer: Associates [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a
-Clause ii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_21_a_ii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysRelationshipWithAssociate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with members defined in one or many axes of the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The name of an associate. [Refer: Associates [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_17_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_16_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_21_a_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NameOfAssociate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The name of a subsidiary. [Refer: Subsidiaries [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_17_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-Clause i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_16_b_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_12_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 19B
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_19B_a&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NameOfSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The proportion of ownership interest in an associate attributable to the entity. [Refer: Associates [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 17
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_17_b_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 27
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 16
-Subparagraph b
-Clause iii
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=27&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_16_b_iii&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 21
-Subparagraph a
-Clause iv
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=12&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_21_a_iv&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of shares in the entity held by the entity or by its subsidiaries or associates. [Refer: Associates [member]; Subsidiaries [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2021-01-01
-Paragraph 79
-Subparagraph a
-Clause vi
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2021-en-r&anchor=para_79_a_vi&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2021-03-24

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Percentage of share class held in associates.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rio_PercentageOfShareClassHeldInAssociates
Namespace Prefix:	rio_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis=rio_BoyneSmeltersLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis=ifrs-full_OrdinarySharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis=rio_MineracaoRioDoNorteSaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis=ifrs-full_PreferenceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis=rio_OrdinaryAndPreferredSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis=rio_HalcoMiningIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis=rio_CommonSharesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis=rio_CompagnieDesBauxitesDeGuineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: