Rio Tinto plc (SEC Filing Page | XBRL Cloud Viewer | XBRL Instance)

Line Label Object Class Period Type Balance Report ElementName
1 100000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Network

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2 Entities [Table] Table

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3 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
4 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
5 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
6 Document Information [Line Items] LineItems dei:DocumentInformationLineItems
7 Document Type Concept (Submission Type) For Period dei:DocumentType
8 Amendment Flag Concept (Yes/No) For Period dei:AmendmentFlag
9 Document Period End Date Concept (Date) For Period dei:DocumentPeriodEndDate
10 Document Fiscal Year Focus Concept (Year) For Period dei:DocumentFiscalYearFocus
11 Document Fiscal Period Focus Concept (Fiscal Period) For Period dei:DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus
12 Trading Symbol Concept (Text/String) For Period dei:TradingSymbol
13 Entity Registrant Name Concept (Text/String) For Period dei:EntityRegistrantName
14 Entity Central Index Key Concept (CIK Number) For Period dei:EntityCentralIndexKey
15 Current Fiscal Year End Date Concept (Month/Day) For Period dei:CurrentFiscalYearEndDate
16 Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Concept (Yes/No) For Period dei:EntityWellKnownSeasonedIssuer
17 Entity Voluntary Filers Concept (Yes/No) For Period dei:EntityVoluntaryFilers
18 Entity Current Reporting Status Concept (Yes/No) For Period dei:EntityCurrentReportingStatus
19 Entity Filer Category Concept (Filer Category) For Period dei:EntityFilerCategory
20 Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Concept (Shares) As Of dei:EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding
21 100010 - Statement - Group income statement Network

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22 Implied Table Table

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23 Consolidated Operations [Abstract] Abstract rio:ConsolidatedOperationsAbstract
24 Consolidated operations Abstract ifrs-full:IncomeStatementAbstract
25 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
26 Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NetOperatingExpenses
27 Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
28 Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainLossRecognisedOnMeasurementToFairValueLessCostsToSellOrOnDisposalOfAssetsOrDisposalGroupsConstitutingDiscontinuedOperation
29 Exploration and evaluation costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseArisingFromExplorationForAndEvaluationOfMineralResources
30 Profit/(loss) relating to interests in undeveloped projects Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitLossRelatingToInterestsInUndevelopedProjects
31 Operating profit Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromOperatingActivities
32 Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
33 Profit before finance items and taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation
34 Finance items Abstract rio:FinanceItemsAbstract
35 Net exchange gains/(losses) on US external debt and intragroup balances Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ExchangeGainsOnUsDollarExternalDebtAndIntraGroup
36 Net (losses)/gains on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnChangeInFairValueOfDerivatives
37 Finance income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
38 Finance costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
39 Amortisation of discount Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ExpenseDueToUndwindingOfDiscountOnProvisionsAndReceivables
40 Net finance income (expense) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:FinanceIncomeCost
41 Profit before taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
42 Taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
43 Profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
44 – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (net earnings) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
45 – attributable to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
46 Basic earnings per share Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
47 Diluted earnings per share Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
48 100020 - Statement - Group statement of comprehensive income Network

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49 Implied Table Table

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50 Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
51 Profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
52 Other comprehensive income/(loss) Abstract ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
53 Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss: Abstract ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
54 Actuarial gains/(losses) on post-retirement benefit plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
55 Changes in the fair value of equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ChangeInFairValueOfEquityInvestmentsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
56 Tax relating to these components of other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLoss
57 Share of other comprehensive losses of equity accounted units, net of tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethodThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
58 Adjustments to deferred tax on post-retirement benefit plans due to changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInAccumulatedDeferredTaxRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeDueToChangeInTaxRate
59 Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillNotBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
60 Items that have been/may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss: Abstract ifrs-full:ComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTaxAbstract
61 Currency translation adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnChangeInValueOfForeignCurrencyBasisSpreadsBeforeTax
62 Currency translation on companies disposed of, transferred to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnChangeInValueOfForeignCurrencyBasisSpreadsBeforeTax
63 Fair value movements: Abstract rio:FairValueMovementsAbstract
64 – Cash flow hedge gains/(losses) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnCashFlowHedgesBeforeTax
65 – Cash flow hedge losses/(gains) transferred to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnCashFlowHedgesBeforeTax
66 – Gains on revaluation of available for sale securities Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsBeforeTax
67 – Losses on revaluation of available for sale securities transferred to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsBeforeTax
68 Net change in costs of hedging (b) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxCostsOfHedging
69 Tax relating to these components of other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLoss
70 Share of other comprehensive (loss)/income of equity accounted units, net of tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethodThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossNetOfTax
71 Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year, net of tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
72 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
73 – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToOwnersOfParent
74 – attributable to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncomeAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
75 100030 - Statement - Group statement of comprehensive income (Parenthetical) Network

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76 Implied Table Table

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77 Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:StatementOfComprehensiveIncomeAbstract
78 Currency translation charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CurrencyTranslationArisingOnDualListedCompaniesShareCapital
79 Reclassification of cost of hedging to income statement and recognised within finance costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ReclassificationOfCostOfHedgingToIncomeStatementAndRecognisedWithinFinanceCosts
80 100040 - Statement - Group cash flow statement Network

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81 Implied Table Table

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82 Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract
83 Cash flows from consolidated operations Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CashFlowsFromUsedInConsolidatedOperations
84 Dividends from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
85 Cash flows from operations Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperations
86 Net interest paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestPaidClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
87 Dividends paid to holders of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterests
88 Tax paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxesPaidRefundClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
89 Net cash generated from operating activities Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
90 Cash flows from investing activities Abstract ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract
91 Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
92 Disposals of subsidiaries, joint ventures, unincorporated joint operations, and associates Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromLosingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
93 Purchases of financial assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfFinancialInstrumentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
94 Sales of financial assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromSalesOrMaturityOfFinancialInstrumentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
95 Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
96 Net funding of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NetFundingOfEquityAccountedUnits
97 Acquisitions of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CashFlowsUsedInObtainingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
98 Other investing cash flows Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OtherInflowsOutflowsOfCashClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
99 Net cash generated/(used) in investing activities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInInvestingActivities
100 Cash flows before financing activities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CashFlowBeforeFinancingActivities
101 Cash flows from financing activities Abstract ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract
102 Equity dividends paid to owners of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToEquityHoldersOfParentClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
103 Proceeds from additional borrowings Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
104 Repayment of borrowings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
105 Proceeds from issue of equity to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiaries
106 Own shares purchased from owners of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
107 Purchase of non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PaymentsFromChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiaries
108 Other financing cash flows Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OtherInflowsOutflowsOfCashClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
109 Net cash flows used in financing activities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInFinancingActivities
110 Effects of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:EffectOfExchangeRateChangesOnCashAndCashEquivalents
111 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndCashEquivalents
112 Opening cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
113 Closing cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
114 100050 - Statement - Group cash flow statement (Parenthetical) Network

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115 Disclosure Of Nonadjusting Events After Reporting Period [Table] Table

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 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodTable
116 Classes of financial instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
117 Financial instruments, class [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
118 Fixed Income Instruments [member] Member rio:FixedIncomeInstrumentsMember
119 Disclosure Of Nonadjusting Events After Reporting Period [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodLineItems
120 Cash flows from consolidated operations Abstract ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract
121 Profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
122 Adjustments for: Abstract ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForReconcileProfitLossAbstract
123 – Taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncomeTaxExpense
124 – Finance items Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForFinanceCosts
125 – Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:AdjustmentsForShareOfProfitAfterTaxOfEquityAccountedUnits
126 – Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForGainLossOnDisposalOfInvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
127 – Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
128 – Depreciation and amortisation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
129 – Provisions (including exchange differences on provisions) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForProvisions
130 Utilisation of provisions Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UtilisationOfProvisions
131 Utilisation of provision for post-retirement benefits Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UtilisationOfProvisionForPostRetirementBenefits
132 Change in inventories Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInInventories
133 Change in trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForDecreaseIncreaseInTradeAccountReceivable
134 Change in trade and other payables Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForIncreaseDecreaseInTradeAccountPayable
135 Other items Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OtherAdjustmentsToReconcileProfitLoss
136 Cash flows from consolidated operations Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CashFlowsFromUsedInConsolidatedOperations
137 Buy-back of bonds Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RedemptionOfBonds
138 Net interest paid associated with bond redemption Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:NetInterestPaidAssociatedWithBondRedepemption
139 Purchases of financial assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfFinancialInstrumentsClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
140 Adjustments for derivative contracts transacted and not designated for hedge relationship Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:MarketLossesGainsOnDerivativesEmbeddedInOperationalContractsNotDesignatedInHedge
141 Adjustments to add back gain on sale of surplus land at Kitmat Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:AdjustmentsToAddBackGainOnSaleOfSurplusLandAtKitmat
142 Revaluation of a financial asset Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsBeforeTax
143 100060 - Statement - Group balance sheet Network

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144 Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Table] Table

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 rio:CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfFinancialPositionTable
145 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
146 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
147 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
148 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
149 Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Financial Position [Line Items] LineItems rio:CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfFinancialPositionLineItems
150 Non-current assets Abstract ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsAbstract
151 Goodwill Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Goodwill
152 Intangible assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
153 Property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
154 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
155 Inventories Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentInventories
156 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
157 Trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivables
158 Tax recoverable Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsNoncurrent
159 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
160 Total non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
161 Current assets Abstract ifrs-full:CurrentAssetsAbstract
162 Inventories Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Inventories
163 Trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
164 Tax recoverable Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsCurrent
165 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialAssets
166 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
167 Total current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
168 Assets of disposal groups held for sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
169 Total assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Assets
170 Current liabilities Abstract ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
171 Borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
172 Trade and other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
173 Tax payable Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
174 Provisions including post-retirement benefits Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentProvisions
175 Total current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilitiesOtherThanLiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
176 Non-current liabilities Abstract ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilitiesAbstract
177 Borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialLiabilities
178 Trade and other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayables
179 Tax payable Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
180 Deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
181 Provisions including post-retirement benefits Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
182 Total non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
183 Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
184 Total liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Liabilities
185 Net assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
186 Capital and reserves Abstract ifrs-full:EquityAbstract
187 Share capital Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
188 Share premium account Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:SharePremium
189 Other reserves Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
190 Retained earnings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
191 Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
192 Attributable to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
193 Total equity Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Equity
194 100070 - Statement - Group statement of changes in equity Network

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195 Statement Of Changes In Equity [Table] Table

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 ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityTable
196 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
197 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
198 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:IssuedCapitalMember
199 Share premium [Member] Member ifrs-full:SharePremiumMember
200 Other reserves [Member] Member ifrs-full:OtherReservesMember
201 Retained earnings [Member] Member ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
202 Total [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParentMember
203 Non-controlling interests [Member] Member ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterestsMember
204 Retrospective application and retrospective restatement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RetrospectiveApplicationAndRetrospectiveRestatementAxis
205 Currently stated [member] Member ifrs-full:RestatedMember
206 Increase (decrease) due to changes in accounting policy required by IFRSs [Member] Member ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseDueToChangesInAccountingPolicyRequiredByIFRSsMember
207 Statement Of Changes In Equity [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityLineItems
208 Opening balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Equity
209 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandards
210 Restated opening balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:RestatedOpeningEquityBalanceAfterAdjustmentForNewAccountingStandards
211 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
212 Currency translation arising on Rio Tinto Limited's share capital Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CurrencyTranslationArisingOnDualListedCompaniesShareCapital
213 Dividends Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
214 Share buy-back Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PurchaseOfEntitySharesPursuantToShareBuyBack
215 Companies No Longer Consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CompaniesNoLongerConsolidated
216 Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto shareholders to satisfy share options Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughExerciseOfOptions
217 Change in equity interest held by Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsWithOwners
218 Treasury shares reissued and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTreasuryShareTransactions
219 Equity issued to holders of non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiariesThatDoNotResultInLossOfControl
220 Employee share options and other IFRS 2 charges to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughSharebasedPaymentTransactions
221 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesEquity
222 Closing balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Equity
223 100080 - Statement - Group statement of changes in equity (Parenthetical) Network

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224 Statement Of Changes In Equity [Table] Table

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225 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
226 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
227 Hunter valley operations [member] Member rio:HunterValleyOperationsMember
228 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
229 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
230 Coal & Allied Industries Limited [member] Member rio:CoalAndAlliedIndustriesLimitedMember
231 Statement Of Changes In Equity [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:StatementOfChangesInEquityLineItems
232 Share buy-back Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PurchaseOfEntitySharesPursuantToShareBuyBack
233 Own shares purchased from owners of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PaymentsToAcquireOrRedeemEntitysShares
234 Additional ownership percentage acquired in subsidiary Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:PercentageOfVotingEquityInterestsAcquired
235 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
236 Percentage of ownership interest exchanged in joint venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
237 Ownership interest in joint venture disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointventureDisposed
238 100090 - Disclosure - Principal accounting policies Network

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239 Implied Table Table

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240 Disclosure Of Accounting Policies [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAccountingPoliciesAbstract
241 Principal accounting policies Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAccountingJudgementsAndEstimatesExplanatory
242 100100 - Disclosure - Operating segments Network

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243 Implied Table Table

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244 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsAbstract
245 Operating segments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsExplanatory
246 100110 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information Network

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247 Implied Table Table

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248 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsAbstract
249 Disclosure of entity's operating segments [text block] Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEntitysReportableSegmentsExplanatory
250 100120 - Disclosure - Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) Network

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251 Implied Table Table

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252 Net Operating Costs Excluding Items Shown Separately [Abstract] Abstract rio:NetOperatingCostsExcludingItemsShownSeparatelyAbstract
253 Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfOperatingCostsExplanatory
254 100130 - Disclosure - Employment costs Network

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255 Implied Table Table

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256 Disclosure Of Employee Cost Explanatory [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfEmployeeCostExplanatoryAbstract
257 Employment costs Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfEmployeeCostExplanatory
258 100140 - Disclosure - Impairment charges Network

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259 Implied Table Table

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260 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss And Reversal Of Impairment Loss [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossAbstract
261 Impairment charges Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentOfAssetsExplanatory
262 100150 - Disclosure - Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Network

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263 Implied Table Table

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264 Share Of Profit After Tax Of Equity Accounted Units [Abstract] Abstract rio:ShareOfProfitAfterTaxOfEquityAccountedUnitsAbstract
265 Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfShareOfProfitAfterTaxOfEquityAccountedUnitsExplanatory
266 100160 - Disclosure - Finance income and finance costs Network

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267 Implied Table Table

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268 Disclosure Of Finance Income And Finance Costs [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfFinanceIncomeAndFinanceCostsAbstract
269 Finance income and finance costs Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatory
270 100170 - Disclosure - Taxation Network

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271 Implied Table Table

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272 Disclosure Of Income Tax [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxAbstract
273 Taxation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIncomeTaxExplanatory
274 100180 - Disclosure - Earnings per ordinary share Network

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275 Implied Table Table

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276 Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
277 Earnings per ordinary share Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEarningsPerShareExplanatory
278 100190 - Disclosure - Dividends Network

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279 Implied Table Table

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280 Disclosure Of Dividends [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfDividendsAbstract
281 Dividends Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDividendsExplanatory
282 100200 - Disclosure - Goodwill Network

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283 Implied Table Table

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284 Goodwill [Abstract] Abstract rio:GoodwillAbstract
285 Goodwill Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGoodwillExplanatory
286 100210 - Disclosure - Intangible assets Network

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287 Implied Table Table

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288 Intangible Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:IntangibleAssetsAbstract
289 Intangible assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
290 100220 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment Network

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291 Implied Table Table

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292 Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
293 Property, plant and equipment Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
294 100230 - Disclosure - Investments in equity accounted units Network

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295 Implied Table Table

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296 Disclosure Of Investments Accounted For Using Equity Method Explanatory [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExplanatoryAbstract
297 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExplanatory
298 100240 - Disclosure - Inventories Network

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299 Implied Table Table

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300 Disclosure Of Inventories [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInventoriesAbstract
301 Inventories Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInventoriesExplanatory
302 100250 - Disclosure - Deferred taxation Network

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303 Implied Table Table

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304 Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
305 Deferred taxation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDeferredTaxesExplanatory
306 100260 - Disclosure - Trade and other receivables Network

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307 Implied Table Table

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308 Trade And Other Receivables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
309 Trade and other receivables Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
310 100270 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale Network

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311 Implied Table Table

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312 Noncurrent Assets Or Disposal Groups Classified As Held For Sale Or As Held For Distribution To Owners [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleOrAsHeldForDistributionToOwnersAbstract
313 Assets and liabilities held for sale Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleExplanatory
314 100280 - Disclosure - Other financial assets (including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units) Network

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315 Implied Table Table

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316 Disclosure Of Other Financial Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherFinancialAssetsAbstract
317 Other financial assets (including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfOtherFinancialAssetsExplanatory
318 100290 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents Network

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319 Implied Table Table

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320 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
321 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory
322 100300 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities Network

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323 Implied Table Table

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324 Borrowings And Other Financial Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract rio:BorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
325 Borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfBorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
326 100310 - Disclosure - Capitalised finance leases Network

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327 Implied Table Table

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328 Disclosure Of Capitalised Finance Leases [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfCapitalisedFinanceLeasesAbstract
329 Capitalised finance leases Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfCapitalisedFinanceLeasesExplanatory
330 100320 - Disclosure - Consolidated net cash/(debt) Network

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331 Implied Table Table

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332 Disclosure Of Consolidated Net Debt [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfConsolidatedNetDebtAbstract
333 Consolidated net cash/(debt) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfConsolidatedNetDebtExplanatory
334 100330 - Disclosure - Trade and other payables Network

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335 Implied Table Table

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336 Trade And Other Payables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
337 Trade and other payables Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTradeAndOtherPayablesExplanatory
338 100340 - Disclosure - Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) Network

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339 Implied Table Table

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340 Disclosure Of Other Provisions [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsAbstract
341 Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProvisionsExplanatory
342 100350 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto plc Network

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343 Implied Table Table

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344 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalAbstract
345 Share capital - Rio Tinto plc Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfShareCapitalAffiliateExplanatory
346 100360 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Rio Tinto Limited Network

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347 Implied Table Table

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348 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalAbstract
349 Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfShareCapitalParentExplanatory
350 100370 - Disclosure - Other reserves and retained earnings Network

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351 Implied Table Table

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352 Disclosure Of Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsAbstract
353 Other reserves and retained earnings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsExplanatory
354 100380 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management Network

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355 Implied Table Table

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356 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
357 Financial instruments and risk management Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
358 100390 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments Network

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359 Implied Table Table

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360 Disclosure Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
361 Contingencies and commitments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesExplanatory
362 100400 - Disclosure - Average number of employees Network

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363 Implied Table Table

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364 Number And Average Number Of Employees [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:NumberAndAverageNumberOfEmployeesAbstract
365 Average number of employees Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatory
366 100410 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries Network

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367 Implied Table Table

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368 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAbstract
369 Principal subsidiaries Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInterestsInSubsidiariesExplanatory
370 100420 - Disclosure - Principal joint operations Network

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371 Implied Table Table

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372 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsAbstract
373 Principal joint operations Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfPrincipalJointOperationsExplanatory
374 100430 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures Network

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375 Implied Table Table

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376 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesAbstract
377 Principal joint ventures Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfPrincipalJointVenturesExplanatory
378 100440 - Disclosure - Principal associates Network

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379 Implied Table Table

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380 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Associates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAbstract
381 Principal associates Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInterestsInAssociatesExplanatory
382 100450 - Disclosure - Purchases and sales of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and other interests in businesses Network

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383 Implied Table Table

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384 Disclosure Of Purchases And Sales Of Subsidiaries Joint Ventures Associates And Other Interests In Businesses [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfPurchasesAndSalesOfSubsidiariesJointVenturesAssociatesAndOtherInterestsInBusinessesAbstract
385 Purchases and sales of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and other interests in businesses Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposalsExplanatory
386 100460 - Disclosure - Directors' and key management remuneration Network

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387 Implied Table Table

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388 Disclosure Of Information About Key Management Personnel [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelAbstract
389 Directors' and key management remuneration Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelExplanatory
390 100470 - Disclosure - Auditors' remuneration Network

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391 Implied Table Table

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392 Auditors Remuneration [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationAbstract
393 Auditors' remuneration Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfAuditorsRemunerationExplanatory
394 100480 - Disclosure - Related-party transactions Network

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395 Implied Table Table

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396 Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:RelatedPartyTransactionsAbstract
397 Related-party transactions Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfRelatedPartyExplanatory
398 100490 - Disclosure - Exchange rates in US$ Network

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399 Implied Table Table

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400 Foreign Exchange Rates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ForeignExchangeRatesAbstract
401 Exchange rates in US$ Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesExplanatory
402 100500 - Disclosure - Events after the balance sheet date Network

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403 Implied Table Table

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404 Disclosure Of Nonadjusting Events After Reporting Period [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAbstract
405 Events after the balance sheet date Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEventsAfterReportingPeriodExplanatory
406 100510 - Disclosure - Share-based payments Network

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407 Implied Table Table

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408 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementAbstract
409 Share-based payments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsExplanatory
410 100520 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits Network

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411 Implied Table Table

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412 Disclosure Of Pension And Post Retirement Healthcare Plans [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfPensionAndPostRetirementHealthcarePlansAbstract
413 Post-retirement benefits Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
414 100530 - Disclosure - New standards and interpretations adopted in the current year Network

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415 Implied Table Table

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416 Description Of Expected Impact Of Initial Application Of New Standards Or Interpretations [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExpectedImpactOfInitialApplicationOfNewStandardsOrInterpretationsAbstract
417 New standards and interpretations adopted in the current year Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExpectedImpactOfInitialApplicationOfNewStandardsOrInterpretations
418 100540 - Disclosure - Rio Tinto financial information by business unit Network

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419 Implied Table Table

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420 Disclosure Of Financial Information By Business Unit [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitAbstract
421 Rio Tinto financial information by business unit Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfConsolidatedAndSeparateFinancialStatementsExplanatory
422 100550 - Disclosure - Principal accounting policies (Policies) Network

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423 Implied Table Table

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424 Disclosure Of Accounting Policies [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAccountingPoliciesAbstract
425 Accounting convention Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfMeasurementBasesUsedInPreparingFinancialStatements
426 Basis of consolidation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfBasisOfConsolidationExplanatory
427 Sales revenue Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForRecognitionOfRevenue
428 Currency translation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForForeignCurrencyTranslationExplanatory
429 Goodwill and intangible assets (excluding exploration and evaluation expenditure) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillExplanatory
430 Exploration and evaluation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditures
431 Property, plant and equipment Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
432 Deferred stripping Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForStrippingCostsExplanatory
433 Depreciation of non-current assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForDepreciationExpenseExplanatory
434 Impairment charges/reversals of non-current assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForImpairmentOfAssetsExplanatory
435 Determination of ore reserve and mineral resource estimates Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForEstimationOfReservesAndResourcesExplanatory
436 Close-down, restoration and environmental obligations Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForEnvironmentRelatedExpenseExplanatory
437 Inventories Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForMeasuringInventories
438 Taxation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIncomeTaxExplanatory
439 Post-employment benefits Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForEmployeeBenefitsExplanatory
440 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyToDetermineComponentsOfCashAndCashEquivalents
441 Financial instruments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
442 Share-based payments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSharebasedPaymentTransactionsExplanatory
443 Share capital Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForIssuedCapitalExplanatory
444 Segment reporting Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAccountingPolicyForSegmentReportingExplanatory
445 100560 - Disclosure - Principal accounting policies (Table) Network

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446 Implied Table Table

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447 Disclosure Of Accounting Policies [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAccountingPoliciesAbstract
448 Summary of significant differences between lease commitments and lease liability recorded on transition Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureSignificantDifferencesBetweenLeaseCommitmentsAndLeaseLiabilityRecordedOnTransition
449 100570 - Disclosure - Operating segments (Tables) Network

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450 Implied Table Table

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451 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsAbstract
452 Summary of operating segments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOperatingSegmentsExplanatory
453 100580 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information (Tables) Network

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454 Implied Table Table

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455 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsAbstract
456 Summary of geographical location sales revenue and non-current assets other than excluded items Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasExplanatory
457 Consolidated sales revenue by product Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProductsAndServicesExplanatory
458 100590 - Disclosure - Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) (Tables) Network

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459 Implied Table Table

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460 Disclosure Of Net Operating Costs Excluding Items Shown Separately [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfNetOperatingCostsExcludingItemsShownSeparatelyAbstract
461 Summary of net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationsAboutNetOperatingCostsExplanatory
462 100600 - Disclosure - Employment costs (Tables) Network

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463 Implied Table Table

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464 Disclosure Of Employee Cost Explanatory [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfEmployeeCostExplanatoryAbstract
465 Summary of employment costs Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutEmploymentCostsExplanatory
466 100610 - Disclosure - Impairment charges (Tables) Network

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467 Implied Table Table

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468 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossRecognisedOrReversedAbstract
469 Summary of impairment charges Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfImpairmentLossRecognisedOrReversedByClassOfAssetsAndByReportableSegment
470 100620 - Disclosure - Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units (Tables) Network

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471 Implied Table Table

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472 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Share Of Profit After Tax Of Equity Accounted Units [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutShareOfProfitAfterTaxOfEquityAccountedUnitsAbstract
473 Summary of share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutShareOfProfitAfterTaxOfEquityAccountedUnitsExplanatory
474 100630 - Disclosure - Finance income and finance costs (Tables) Network

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475 Implied Table Table

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476 Disclosure Of Finance Income Expense Explanatory [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatoryAbstract
477 Summary of Finance Income and Finance Cost Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutFinanceIncomeExpenseExplanatory
478 100640 - Disclosure - Taxation (Tables) Network

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479 Implied Table Table

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480 Major Components Of Tax Expense Income [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
481 Summary of taxation charge Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfCurrentDeferredTaxationChargeExplanatory
482 Summary of prima facie tax reconciliation Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:PrimaFacieTaxReconciliationExplanatory
483 Summary of tax relating to components of other comprehensive income or loss Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeOrLossExplanatory
484 100650 - Disclosure - Earnings per ordinary share (Tables) Network

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485 Implied Table Table

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486 Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
487 Summary of earnings (loss) per ordinary shares Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareExplanatory
488 100660 - Disclosure - Dividends (Tables) Network

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489 Implied Table Table

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490 Disclosure Of Dividends [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfDividendsAbstract
491 Summary of dividends paid Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDividendsPaidExplanatory
492 Summary of dividends per share Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDividendsPerShareExplanatory
493 Summary of number of shares dividend distributed Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfNumberOfSharesDividendDistributedExplanatory
494 100670 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables) Network

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495 Implied Table Table

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496 Goodwill [Abstract] Abstract rio:GoodwillAbstract
497 Summary of goodwill Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillExplanatory
498 Key assumptions calculation of fair value less costs of disposal Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalExplanatory
499 100680 - Disclosure - Intangible assets (Tables) Network

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500 Implied Table Table

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501 Intangible Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:IntangibleAssetsAbstract
502 Summary of intangible assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutIntangibleAssetsExplanatory
503 Summary of exploration and evaluation expenditure Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsExplanatory
504 100690 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment (Tables) Network

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505 Implied Table Table

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506 Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAbstract
507 Summary of property, plant and equipment Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutPropertyPlantAndEquipmentExplanatory
508 100700 - Disclosure - Investments in equity accounted units (Tables) Network

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509 Implied Table Table

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510 Disclosure Of Investments Accounted For Using Equity Method Explanatory [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExplanatoryAbstract
511 Summary of investments in equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExplanatory
512 100710 - Disclosure - Inventories (Tables) Network

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513 Implied Table Table

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514 Disclosure Of Inventories [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInventoriesAbstract
515 Summary of inventories Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutInventoriesExplanatory
516 100720 - Disclosure - Deferred taxation (Tables) Network

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517 Implied Table Table

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518 Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract
519 Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability asset Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDeferredTaxLiabilityAssetExplanatory
520 Deferred tax liabilities and assets, prior to offsetting of balances Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAndAssetsPriorToOffsettingOfBalancesExplanatory
521 Recognised and unrecognised amounts in deferred tax assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfRecognisedAndUnrecognisedAmountsInDeferredTaxAssetsExplanatory
522 100730 - Disclosure - Trade and other receivables (Tables) Network

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523 Implied Table Table

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524 Trade And Other Receivables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
525 Summary of trade and other receivables Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutTradeAndOtherReceivablesExplanatory
526 100740 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale (Tables) Network

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527 Implied Table Table

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528 Noncurrent Assets Or Disposal Groups Classified As Held For Sale Or As Held For Distribution To Owners [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssetsOrDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleOrAsHeldForDistributionToOwnersAbstract
529 Summary of major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:ScheduleOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleExplanatory
530 100750 - Disclosure - Other financial assets (including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units) (Tables) Network

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531 Implied Table Table

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532 Disclosure Of Other Financial Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherFinancialAssetsAbstract
533 Summary of other financial assets including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherFinancialAssetsExplanatory
534 100760 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents (Tables) Network

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535 Implied Table Table

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536 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
537 Summary of cash and cash equivalents Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutCashAndCashEquivalentsExplanatory
538 100770 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities (Tables) Network

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539 Implied Table Table

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540 Borrowings And Other Financial Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract rio:BorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
541 Summary of borrowings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsExplanatory
542 Summary of borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
543 100780 - Disclosure - Capitalised finance leases (Tables) Network

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544 Implied Table Table

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545 Disclosure Of Capitalised Finance Leases [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfCapitalisedFinanceLeasesAbstract
546 Summary of capitalised finance leases Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisOfFinanceLeasePaymentsPayableExplanatory
547 100790 - Disclosure - Consolidated net cash/(debt) (Tables) Network

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548 Implied Table Table

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549 Disclosure Of Consolidated Net Debt [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfConsolidatedNetDebtAbstract
550 Analysis of changes in consolidated net cash/(debt) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfAnalysisOfChangesInConsolidatedNetDebtExplanatory
551 100800 - Disclosure - Trade and other payables (Tables) Network

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552 Implied Table Table

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553 Trade And Other Payables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
554 Summary of trade and other payables Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfAdditionalInformationAboutTradeAndOtherPayablesExplanatory
555 100810 - Disclosure - Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) (Tables) Network

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556 Implied Table Table

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557 Disclosure Of Other Provisions [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsAbstract
558 Summary of Provisions including post-retirement benefits Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsExplanatory
559 100820 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto plc (Tables) Network

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560 Implied Table Table

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561 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalAbstract
562 Summary of share capital rio tinto plc Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalRioTintoPlcExplanatory
563 100830 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited (Tables) Network

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564 Implied Table Table

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565 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalAbstract
566 Summary of share capital rio tinto limited Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalRioTintoLimitedExplanatory
567 100840 - Disclosure - Other reserves and retained earnings (Tables) Network

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568 Implied Table Table

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569 Disclosure Of Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsAbstract
570 Summary of other reserves and retained earnings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsExplanatory
571 100850 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management (Tables) Network

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572 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

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573 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
574 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
575 Commodity price risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:CommodityPriceRiskMember
576 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
577 Summary of financial assets by categories Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsExplanatory
578 Summary of financial liabilities by categories Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
579 Summary of credit ratings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExternalCreditExposuresExplanatory
580 Maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities and derivative financial liabilities Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForNonderivativeFinancialLiabilitiesAndDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
581 Summary of impact of hedging instrument on statement of financial position Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfImpactOfHedgingInstrumentOnStatementOfFinancialPositionExplanatory
582 Summary of market price relevant to the aluminum purchase price swaps outstanding Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfMarketPriceRelevantToAluminumPurchasePriceSwapsOutstandingExplanatory
583 Summary of maximum credit risk exposure of the Group's financial assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCreditRiskExposureExplanatory
584 Summary by currency, the Group's net debt, after taking into account relevant cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfNetDebtByCurrencyExplanatory
585 Summary of derivative financial instruments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
586 Summary of fair value of financial instruments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsExplanatory
587 100850 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management (Tables) Network

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588 Implied Table Table

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589 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
590 Summary of capital and liquidity risk management Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfManagingLiquidityRisk
591 Summary of notional aluminium forward sales contracts embedded in power contracts Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementExplanatory
592 Summary of effect of the cash flow hedge in statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (OCI) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:EffectOfTheCashFlowHedgeInTheStatementOfProfitOrLossAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeExplanatory
593 Disclosure of effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on earnings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesEarningsExplanatory
594 Summary of changes in the fair value of Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:SummaryOfMovementsInLevel3FinancialAssetsAndFinancialLiabilitiesExplanatory
595 100860 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments (Tables) Network

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596 Implied Table Table

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597 Disclosure Of Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
598 Summary of capital commitments Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCommitmentsExplanatory
599 Summary of aggregate amount of minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisOfOperatingLeasePaymentsExplanatory
600 Summary of aggregate amount of future payment commitments under purchase obligations outstanding Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfAggregateAmountOfFuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsOutstandingExplanatory
601 Summary of subsidiaries and joint operations contingent liabilities Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesExplanatory
602 100870 - Disclosure - Average number of employees (Tables) Network

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603 Implied Table Table

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604 Number And Average Number Of Employees [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:NumberAndAverageNumberOfEmployeesAbstract
605 Summary of average number of employees Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutEmployeesExplanatory
606 100880 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries (Tables) Network

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607 Implied Table Table

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608 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAbstract
609 Summary of Principal Subsidiaries and Financial Information for Subsidiaries Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesExplanatory
610 100890 - Disclosure - Principal joint operations (Tables) Network

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611 Implied Table Table

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612 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsAbstract
613 Summary of principle joint operations Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsExplanatory
614 100900 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures (Tables) Network

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615 Implied Table Table

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616 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesAbstract
617 Summary of principal joint ventures Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfSummarisedFinancialInformationOfJointVentureAccountedForUsingEquityMethodToCarryingAmountOfInterestInJointVentureExplanatory
618 100910 - Disclosure - Principal associates (Tables) Network

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619 Implied Table Table

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620 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Associates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAbstract
621 Summary of principal associates Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesExplanatory
622 Reconciliation of financial information for principal associates by carrying value Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfSummarisedFinancialInformationOfAssociateAccountedForUsingEquityMethodToCarryingAmountOfInterestInAssociateExplanatory
623 Summary information for joint ventures and associates that are not individually material to the group Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfInformationForJointVenturesAndAssociatesNotIndividuallyMaterialExplanatory
624 100920 - Disclosure - Directors' and key management remuneration (Tables) Network

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625 Implied Table Table

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626 Disclosure Of Information About Key Management Personnel [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelAbstract
627 Summary of aggregate remuneration Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelAggregateRemunerationExplanatory
628 Summary of aggregate compensation, representing the expense Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutKeyManagementPersonnelAggregateExpenseExplanatory
629 100930 - Disclosure - Auditors' remuneration (Tables) Network

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630 Implied Table Table

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631 Auditors Remuneration [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationAbstract
632 Auditors' remuneration Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutAuditorsRemunerationExplanatory
633 100940 - Disclosure - Related-party transactions (Tables) Network

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634 Implied Table Table

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635 Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:RelatedPartyTransactionsAbstract
636 Summary of transactions and balances with equity accounted units Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesExplanatory
637 100950 - Disclosure - Exchange rates in US$ (Tables) Network

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638 Implied Table Table

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639 Foreign Exchange Rates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ForeignExchangeRatesAbstract
640 Summary of principal exchange rate used in preparation of financial statements Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutEffectOfChangesInForeignExchangeRatesExplanatory
641 100960 - Disclosure - Share-based payments (Tables) Network

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642 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

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643 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
644 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
645 Performance share plans [member] Member rio:PerformanceSharePlansMember
646 Share Incentive Plans Member rio:ShareIncentivePlansMember
647 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
648 Charge has been recognised in income statement for Rio Tinto's share-based incentive plans, and the related liability (for cash-settled plans) Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfEffectOfSharebasedPaymentsOnProfitOrLoss
649 Summary of options outstanding and exercisable Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableExplanatory
650 Summary of non-vested and vested shares Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfNonVestedAndVestedSharesExplanatory
651 100970 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits (Tables) Network

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652 Implied Table Table

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653 Disclosure Of Pension And Post Retirement Healthcare Plans [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfPensionAndPostRetirementHealthcarePlansAbstract
654 Summary of fair value of plan assets Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsExplanatory
655 Summary of maturity of defined benefit obligations Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInformationAboutMaturityProfileOfDefinedBenefitObligationExplanatory
656 Summary of geographical distribution of defined benefit obligations Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfGeographicalDistributionOfDefinedBenefitObligationsExplanatory
657 Summary of total expense recognised in the income statement Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansExpenseRecognizedInIncomeStatementExplanatory
658 Summary of total amount recognised in other comprehensive income before tax Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfNetAmountRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxExplanatory
659 Summary of amount recognised in balance sheet Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOFAmountRecognizedInBalanceSheetExplanatory
660 Summary of funding policy and contributions to plans Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfFundingPolicyAndContributionsToPlansExplanatory
661 Summary of movement in net defined benefit liability Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetExplanatory
662 Summary of main assumptions rate for valuations of plans and sensitivity analysis Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsExplanatory
663 100980 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year (Tables) Network

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664 Implied Table Table

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665 Description Of Expected Impact Of Initial Application Of New Standards Or Interpretations [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExpectedImpactOfInitialApplicationOfNewStandardsOrInterpretationsAbstract
666 Schedule of impact on Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto on the adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretations
667 Schedule of impact of transition to IFRS 9 on the Group’s opening retained earnings Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfFirsttimeAdoptionOfIFRS9
668 Summary of retained earnings and reserves Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfRetainedEarningsAndReservesImpactOfNewStandardsOrInterpretationsExplanatory
669 100990 - Disclosure - Rio Tinto financial information by business unit (Tables) Network

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670 Implied Table Table

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671 Disclosure Of Financial Information By Business Unit [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitAbstract
672 Schedule of financial information by business unit Concept (Text Block (HTML)) For Period rio:DisclosureOfFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitExplanatory
673 101000 - Disclosure - Principal accounting policies - Additional information (Detail) Network

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674 Disclosure Of Initial Application Of Standards Or Interpretations [Table] Table

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675 New IFRSs [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NewIFRSsAxis
676 New IFRSs [member] Member ifrs-full:NewIFRSsMember
677 IFRS 16 [Member] Member rio:IFRS16Member
678 IAS 17 [Member] Member rio:IAS17Member
679 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis
680 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [member] Member ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsMember
681 Entering into significant commitments or contingent liabilities Member ifrs-full:EnteringIntoSignificantCommitmentsOrContingentLiabilitiesMember
682 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
683 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
684 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
685 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
686 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
687 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
688 Intangible assets [Member] Member rio:IntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillMember
689 Disclosure of initial application of standards or interpretations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsLineItems
690 Increase in lease liabilities (debt) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseInLeaseLiabilities
691 Increase in right of use assets/net investments in leases Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreaseInRightOfUseAssetsOrNetInvestmentsInLeases
692 Net adjustments to other assets and liabilities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NetAdjustmentsToOtherAssetsAndLiabilities
693 Retained earnings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
694 Weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to lease liabilities Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageLesseesIncrementalBorrowingRateAppliedToLeaseLiabilitiesRecognisedAtDateOfInitialApplicationOfIFRS16
695 Undiscounted non-cancellable operating lease commitments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderNoncancellableOperatingLease
696 Lease liability Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LeaseLiabilities
697 Non-cancellable operating lease commitments Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NonCancellableOperatingLeaseCommitments
698 Non-cancellable operating lease commitments not expected to be charged against EBITDA Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NoncancellableOperatingLeaseCommitmentsNotExpectedToBeChargedAgainstEBITDA
699 Operating lease expenses Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OperatingLeaseExpenses
700 Percent of certainty Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentOfCertainty
701 Cash-generating units assessed for impairment Concept (Integer) For Period rio:NumberOfCashGeneratingUnitsAssessedForImpairment
702 Assessment period of market prices Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfPeriodOverWhichManagementHasProjectedCashFlows
703 Term of impairment review is under taken in relevant functional currency Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:PeriodAfterEstimatedFVLCDAssumptionsKeptConstantInRealTerms
704 Depreciation or amortisation charges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
705 Onerous contracts provision Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OnerousContractsProvision
706 Operations with remaining lives Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:OperationsWithRemainingLives
707 Number of operations Concept (Integer) For Period rio:NumberOfOperationsWithRemainingLivesUnderTenYears
708 Decreasing provision Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RestructuringProvision
709 Provision for carrying value close-down, restoration and environmental Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ProvisionForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationCosts
710 Risk free rate decrease Concept (Percent) As Of rio:RiskFreeInterestRateOnProvisionsDecrease
711 Risk free interest rate on provisions Concept (Percent) For Period rio:RiskFreeInterestRateOnProvisions
712 Intragroup loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:IntragroupLoans
713 101010 - Disclosure - Principal accounting policies - Summary of significant differences between lease commitments and lease liability recorded on transition (Detail) Network

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714 Disclosure Of Initial Application Of Standards Or Interpretations [Table] Table

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715 New IFRSs [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NewIFRSsAxis
716 New IFRSs [member] Member ifrs-full:NewIFRSsMember
717 IAS 17 [Member] Member rio:IAS17Member
718 IFRS 16 [Member] Member rio:IFRS16Member
719 Disclosure of initial application of standards or interpretations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsLineItems
720 Operating lease commitments under IAS 17 per note 31 Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderNoncancellableOperatingLease
721 Leases expiring in 12 months or fewer (a) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LeaseCommitmentsForShorttermLeasesForWhichRecognitionExemptionHasBeenUsed
722 Committed leases not commenced (a) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseRelatingToShorttermLeasesForWhichRecognitionExemptionHasBeenUsed
723 Components excluded from the lease liability (a) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseRelatingToVariableLeasePaymentsNotIncludedInMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilities
724 Cost of reasonably certain extensions (a) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:LeaseCostIncludedInMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilities
725 Other (b) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OtherExpensesIncludedInMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilities
726 Sub total Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:LeaseLiabilitiesExcludingEffectOfDiscountOnPayments
727 Effect of discounting on payments included in the calculation of the lease liability (excluding finance lease balances) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:EffectOfDiscountOnPaymentsIncludedInMeasurementOfLeaseLiabilities
728 Lease liability opening balance reported as at 1 January 2019 (IFRS 16) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LeaseLiabilities
729 101020 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Additional information (Detail) Network

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730 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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731 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
732 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
733 Gross sales revenue [Member] Member rio:GrossSalesRevenueMember
734 Underlying earnings [member] Member rio:UnderlyingEarningsMember
735 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
736 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
737 Subsidiaries [Member] Member ifrs-full:SubsidiariesMember
738 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
739 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
740 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
741 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
742 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
743 Description of factors used to identify entity's reportable segments Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:FactorsUsedToIdentifyEntitysReportableSegments
744 Description of types of products and services from which each reportable segment derives its revenues Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfTypesOfProductsAndServicesFromWhichEachReportableSegmentDerivesItsRevenues
745 Share of sales revenue of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ShareOfSalesRevenueOfEquityAccountedUnits
746 Percentage of capital expenditure Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfCapitalExpenditure
747 Percentage of depreciation and amortisation Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfDepreciationAndAmortisation
748 Underlying profits of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
749 101030 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of gross sales revenue within the reportable segments (Detail) Network

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750 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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751 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
752 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
753 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
754 Inter-segment transactions [Member] Member ifrs-full:EliminationOfIntersegmentAmountsMember
755 Product group [Member] Member rio:ProductGroupMember
756 Items excluded from underlying earnings [Member] Member rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarningsMember
757 Gross sales revenue [Member] Member rio:GrossSalesRevenueMember
758 Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] Member rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedUnitsAndAdjustmentsMember
759 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
760 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
761 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
762 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
763 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
764 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
765 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
766 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
767 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
768 Sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedRevenueDeductedToReconcileToRevenuePerIncomeStatement
769 101040 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of capital expenditure within the reportable segments (Detail) Network

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770 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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771 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
772 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
773 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
774 Other items [Member] Member rio:OtherItemsMember
775 Capital expenditure of equity accounted units Member rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedUnitsAndAdjustmentsMember
776 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
777 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
778 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
779 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
780 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
781 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
782 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
783 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
784 Capital expenditure Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:PurchaseLessDisposalOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsEvaluationCosts
785 Sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
786 Capital expenditure per cash flow statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
787 101050 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of depreciation and amortisation within the reportable segments (Detail) Network

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788 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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789 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
790 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
791 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
792 Product group [Member] Member rio:ProductGroupMember
793 Other items [Member] Member rio:OtherItemsMember
794 Depreciation and amortisation of equity accounted units [Member] Member rio:DepreciationAndAmortisationOfEquityAccountedUnitsMember
795 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
796 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
797 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
798 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
799 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
800 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
801 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
802 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
803 Depreciation and amortisation expense proportionately consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
804 101060 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of tax charge within the reportable segments (Detail) Network

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805 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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806 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
807 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
808 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
809 Other items [Member] Member rio:OtherItemsMember
810 Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] Member rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationNotAttributedToProductGroupsMember
811 Finance costs [Member] Member rio:FinanceCostsMember
812 Underlying earnings [member] Member rio:UnderlyingEarningsMember
813 Tax charge excluded from underlying earnings [Member] Member rio:TaxChargeExcludedFromUnderlyingEarningsMember
814 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
815 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
816 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
817 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
818 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
819 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
820 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
821 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
822 Tax charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
823 101070 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of Underlying EBITDA (Detail) Network

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824 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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825 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
826 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
827 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
828 Central Pension Costs, Share-Based Payments & Insurance [Member] Member rio:CentralPensionCostsShareBasedPaymentsAndInsuranceMember
829 Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member] Member rio:RestructuringProjectAndOneOffCostsMember
830 Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] Member rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationNotAttributedToProductGroupsMember
831 Central Costs [Member] Member rio:CentralCostsMember
832 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
833 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
834 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
835 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
836 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
837 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
838 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
839 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
840 Underlying EBITDA Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEBITDA
841 Items excluded from underlying EBITDA Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEBITDA
842 EBITDA Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:EarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAmortization
843 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges in subsidiaries and equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
844 Taxation and finance items in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxationAndFinanceItemsInEquityAccountedUnits
845 Profit on ordinary activities before finance items and tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation
846 101080 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Summary of underlying earnings within the reportable segments (Detail) Network

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847 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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*

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848 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
849 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
850 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:OperatingSegmentsMember
851 Central Pension Costs, Share-Based Payments & Insurance [Member] Member rio:CentralPensionCostsShareBasedPaymentsAndInsuranceMember
852 Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member] Member rio:RestructuringProjectAndOneOffCostsMember
853 Exploration and evaluation not attributed to product groups [Member] Member rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationNotAttributedToProductGroupsMember
854 Central Costs [Member] Member rio:CentralCostsMember
855 Finance costs [Member] Member rio:FinanceCostsMember
856 Underlying earnings [member] Member rio:UnderlyingEarningsMember
857 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
858 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
859 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
860 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
861 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
862 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
863 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
864 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
865 Underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEarnings
866 – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (net earnings) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
867 Items excluded from underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarnings
868 101090 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Reconciliation of net earnings/(losses) to underlying earnings (Detail) Network

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869 Implied Table Table

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870 Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Net Earnings Losses To Underlying Earnings [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfNetEarningsLossesToUnderlyingEarningsAbstract
871 Impairment charges, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PretaxImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
872 Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:NetGainsLossesOnDisposalOfInterestsInBusinessesBeforeTax
873 Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), Pre-tax Abstract rio:ExchangeAndDerivativeGainsLossesTaxAbstract
874 – Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationBeforeTaxIncludingNonControllingInterests
875 Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnCurrencyAndInterestRateDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccountingTaxBeforeTax
876 (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnEmbeddedCommodityDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccountingBeforeTax
877 Losses from increases to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreasedClosureProvisionForNonoperatingAndLegacyOperationsBeforeTax
878 Gain relating to surplus land at Kitimat, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainRelatingToSurplusLandAtKitimatBeforeTax
879 Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ChangesInCorporateTaxRatesBeforeTax
880 Onerous port and rail contracts, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OnerousPortAndRailContractsBeforeTax
881 Restructuring costs and global headcount reductions, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RestructuringCostsAndGlobalHeadcountReductionsBeforeTax
882 Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RioTintoKennecottInsuranceSettlementBeforeTax
883 Other exclusions, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OtherExclusionsFromUnderlyingEarningsBeforeTax
884 Total excluded from underlying earnings, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEarningsExclusionsBeforeTax
885 Net earnings, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
886 Underlying earnings, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEarningsBeforeTax
887 Impairment charges, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossTaxation
888 Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:NetGainsLossesOnDisposalOfInterestsInBusinessesTax
889 – Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationTax
890 - Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesOnCurrencyAndInterestRateDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccountingTax
891 - (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesOnEmbeddedCommodityDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccountingTax
892 Losses from increases to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreasedClosureProvisionForNonoperatingAndLegacyOperationsTax
893 Gain relating to surplus land at Kitimat, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainRelatingToSurplusLandAtKitimatTax
894 Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ChangesInCorporateTaxRatesTax
895 Onerous port and rail contracts, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxExpenseBenefitOnerousContracts
896 Restructuring costs and global headcount reductions, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RestructuringCostsAndGlobalHeadcountReductionsTax
897 Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RioTintoKennecottInsuranceSettlementTax
898 Tax provision Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProvisionForIncomeTax
899 Tax charge relating to expected divestments, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:TaxChargeRelatingToExpectedDivestmentsTax
900 Other exclusions, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OtherExclusionsFromUnderlyingEarningsTax
901 Total excluded from underlying earnings, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarningsTax
902 Taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
903 Underlying earnings, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnderlyingEarningsTax
904 Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
905 Exchange and derivative gains/(losses, Non-controlling interests Abstract rio:ExchangeAndDerivativeLossesGainsNonControllingInterestsAbstract
906 – Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and drivatives, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
907 - Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesOnCurrencyAndInterestRateDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccountingAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
908 Restructuring costs and global headcount reductions, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RestructuringCostsAndGlobalHeadcountReductionsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
909 Total excluded from underlying earnings, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarningsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
910 Net earnings, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
911 Underlying earnings, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEarningsAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
912 Impairment charges, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossAfterTaxIncludingNCI
913 Net gains on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnDisposalsOfInvestments
914 Exchange and derivative gains/(losses), Net Abstract rio:ExchangeAndDerivativeGainsLossesAbstract
915 – Exchange (losses)/gains on external US dollar net debt and intragroup balances and derivatives, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:NetExchangeGainsLossesOnExternalUSDollarDebtIntragroupBalancesAndDerivatives
916 - Gain/(losses) on currency and interest rate derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnCurrencyAndInterestRateDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccounting
917 - (Losses)/gains on embedded commodity derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnEmbeddedCommodityDerivativesNotQualifyingForHedgeAccounting
918 Losses from increases to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites), Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreasedClosureProvisionForNonoperatingAndLegacyOperations
919 Gain relating to surplus land at Kitimat, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainRelatingToSurplusLandAtKitimat
920 Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ChangesInCorporateTaxRates
921 Onerous port and rail contracts, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainsLossesOnerousContractsAfterTax
922 Restructuring costs and global headcount reductions, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RestructuringCostsAndGlobalHeadcountReductions
923 Rio Tinto Kennecott insurance settlement, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RioTintoKennecottInsuranceSettlement
924 Tax charge relating to expected divestments, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:TaxChargeRelatingToExpectedDivestments
925 Other exclusions, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OtherExclusionsFromUnderlyingEarningsNet
926 Total excluded from underlying earnings, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarnings
927 – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (net earnings) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
928 Underlying earnings, Net Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:UnderlyingEarnings
929 101100 - Disclosure - Operating segments - Reconciliation of net earnings/(losses) to underlying earnings (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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930 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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931 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
932 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
933 Elysis Member rio:ElysisMember
934 Hail Creek [Member] Member rio:HailCreekJointVentureMember
935 Kestrel Underground Coal Mine [Member] Member rio:KestrelJointVentureMember
936 Dunkerque Aluminium Smelter [Member] Member rio:DunkerqueAluminiumSmelterMember
937 Grasberg expansion [member] Member rio:GrasbergExpansionMember
938 Bengalla joint venture [Member] Member rio:BengallaJointVentureMember
939 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
940 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
941 Carbone savoie [Member] Member rio:CarboneSavoieMember
942 Energy Resources of Australia Limited [Member] Member rio:EnergyResourcesOfAustraliaMember
943 Continuing and discontinued operations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
944 Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
945 Disposal of joint ventures [Member] Member rio:DisposalOfJointVenturesMember
946 Disposal of subsidiaries [Member] Member ifrs-full:DisposalOfMajorSubsidiaryMember
947 Classes of regulatory deferral account balances [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfRegulatoryDeferralAccountBalancesAxis
948 Classes of regulatory deferral account balances [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfRegulatoryDeferralAccountBalancesMember
949 US Dollar Net Debt [Member] Member rio:USDollarNetDebtMember
950 Intragroup balances [Member] Member rio:IntragroupBalancesMember
951 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
952 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
953 Underlying earnings [member] Member rio:UnderlyingEarningsMember
954 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
955 Pre-tax gain on consolidation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainOnConsolidationOfJointVenturePreTax
956 Post-tax gain on consolidation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainOnConsolidationOfJointVenturePostTax
957 Net earnings, Pre-tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
958 (Loss)/profit after tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
959 Tax payable Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:TaxExpenseRelatingToGainLossOnDiscontinuance
960 Percentage of ownership interest exchanged in joint venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
961 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
962 Post-tax foreign exchange gains Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:NetForeignExchangeGain
963 Post-tax foreign exchange loss Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:NetForeignExchangeLoss
964 Impairment loss excluded from underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
965 Increased closure provision Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreasedClosureProvision
966 Reversal of impairment loss Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ReversalOfImpairmentLoss
967 Pre-tax gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsOnDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
968 Other income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherIncome
969 Total impact Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughDisposalOfSubsidiary
970 Discount rate used in net present value of expected future cash flows for the port and rail capacity Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:DescriptionOfDiscountRatesUsedInPreviousEstimateOfValueInUse
971 Post-tax onerous contract charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OnerousContractChargeAfterTax
972 101110 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information - Consolidated sales revenue by destination (Detail) Network

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973 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Table] Table

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974 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
975 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
976 China [Member] Member country:CN
977 Asia (excluding China and Japan) [Member] Member rio:AsiaExcludingChinaAndJapanMember
978 United States [Member] Member country:US
979 Japan [Member] Member country:JP
980 Europe (excluding UK) [Member] Member rio:EuropeExcludingUkMember
981 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
982 Australia [Member] Member country:AU
983 United Kingdom [Member] Member country:GB
984 Other countries [Member] Member rio:OtherCountriesMember
985 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasLineItems
986 Percentage of consolidated sales revenue Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:PercentageOfEntitysRevenue
987 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
988 101120 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information - Consolidated sales revenue by product (Detail) Network

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989 Disclosure Of Products And Services [Table] Table

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 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProductsAndServicesTable
990 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
991 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
992 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
993 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
994 Copper [member] Member rio:CopperMember
995 Coal [member] Member rio:CoalMember
996 Industrial minerals [member] Member rio:IndustrialMineralsMember
997 Gold [member] Member rio:GoldMember
998 Diamonds [member] Member rio:DiamondsMember
999 Other Product [Member] Member rio:OtherProductMember
1000 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
1001 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
1002 Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] Member rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedUnitsAndAdjustmentsMember
1003 Gross sales revenue [Member] Member rio:GrossSalesRevenueMember
1004 Disclosure Of Products And Services [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfProductsAndServicesLineItems
1005 Revenue from contracts with customers Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:RevenueFromContractsWithCustomers
1006 Other revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherRevenue
1007 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
1008 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedRevenueAddedToReconcileToGrossRevenue
1009 101130 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information - Summary of non-current assets other than excluded items (Detail) Network

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1010 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Table] Table

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*

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1011 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1012 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1013 Australia [Member] Member country:AU
1014 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
1015 Mongolia [Member] Member country:MN
1016 United States [Member] Member country:US
1017 Africa [Member] Member us-gaap:AfricaMember
1018 South America [Member] Member us-gaap:SouthAmericaMember
1019 Indonesia [member] Member country:ID
1020 Europe excluding France and the UK [member] Member rio:EuropeExcludingFranceAndTheUkMember
1021 United Kingdom [Member] Member country:GB
1022 France [member] Member country:FR
1023 Other countries [Member] Member rio:OtherCountriesMember
1024 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1025 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1026 Quasi equity loans [member] Member rio:QuasiEquityLoansMember
1027 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasLineItems
1028 Non-current assets other than excluded items Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NonCurrentAssetsOtherThanExcludedItems
1029 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1030 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
1031 Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:QuasiEquityLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1032 Tax recoverable Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxAssetsNoncurrent
1033 Trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NonCurrentTradeAndOtherReceivablesExcludedFromSegmentAnalysis
1034 Total non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
1035 101140 - Disclosure - Operating segments - additional information - Summary of non-current assets other than excluded items (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1036 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Table] Table

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*

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1037 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1038 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1039 Non-current assets [member] Member rio:NonCurrentAssetsMember
1040 France [member] Member country:FR
1041 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1042 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1043 Quasi equity loans [member] Member rio:QuasiEquityLoansMember
1044 Non-quasi equity loan [member] Member rio:NonquasiEquityLoanMember
1045 Disclosure Of Geographical Areas [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfGeographicalAreasLineItems
1046 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethodExcludingQuasiEquityLoans
1047 Change in non-current assets other than excluded items Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NonCurrentAssetsOtherThanExcludedItemsIncreaseDecrease
1048 Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:QuasiEquityLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1049 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NonQuasiLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1050 101150 - Disclosure - Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) - Summary of net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) (Detail) Network

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1051 Implied Table Table

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1052 Expense By Nature [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ExpenseByNatureAbstract
1053 Raw materials, consumables, repairs and maintenance Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:RawMaterialsAndConsumablesUsed
1054 Amortisation of intangible assets Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1055 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1056 Employment costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:EmployeeBenefitsExpense
1057 Shipping and other freight costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ShippingAndOtherFreightCosts
1058 (Increase)/decrease in finished goods and work in progress Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ChangesInInventoriesOfFinishedGoodsAndWorkInProgress
1059 Royalties Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:RoyaltyExpense
1060 Amounts charged by equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherIncomeExpenseFromSubsidiariesJointlyControlledEntitiesAndAssociates
1061 Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1062 Other external costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:MiscellaneousOtherOperatingExpense
1063 Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1064 Provisions (including exchange differences on provisions) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ProvisionsIncludingExchangeDifferences
1065 Research and development Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
1066 Costs included above qualifying for capitalisation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CostsIncludedAboveQualifyingForCapitalisation
1067 Other operating income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherOperatingIncomeExpense
1068 Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OperatingExpense
1069 101160 - Disclosure - Net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) - Summary of net operating costs (excluding items shown separately) (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1070 Disclosure Of Operating Costs [Table] Table

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*

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1071 Counterparties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
1072 Counterparties [member] Member ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
1073 United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [Member] Member rio:UnitedKingdomsFinancialConductAuthorityMember
1074 Kitimat [Member] Member rio:KitimatMember
1075 Disclosure Of Operating Costs [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfOperatingCostsLineItems
1076 Operating lease expenses Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OperatingLeaseExpenses
1077 Purchases of the other investors' share of production Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:PurchasesOfOtherInvestorsShareOfProductionAccountedForUsingEquityMethodInvestment
1078 Financial penalty Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:FinancialPenaltyPayment
1079 Pre-tax gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsOnDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1080 101170 - Disclosure - Employment costs - Summary of employment costs (Detail) Network

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1081 Shortterm Employee Benefits Expense [Table] Table

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*

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1082 Measurement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
1083 Aggregated measurement [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
1084 Employment costs before utilisation of provisions [Member] Member rio:EmploymentCostsBeforeUtilisationOfProvisionsMember
1085 Shortterm Employee Benefits Expense [Line Items] LineItems rio:ShorttermEmployeeBenefitsExpenseLineItems
1086 Total employment costs Abstract ifrs-full:ClassesOfEmployeeBenefitsExpenseAbstract
1087 – Wages and salaries Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:WagesAndSalaries
1088 – Social security costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:SocialSecurityContributions
1089 – Net post-retirement charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PostemploymentBenefitExpenseDefinedBenefitAndContributionPlans
1090 – Share-based payment charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseFromEquitysettledSharebasedPaymentTransactionsInWhichGoodsOrServicesReceivedDidNotQualifyForRecognitionAsAssets
1091 Total employment costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:EmployeeBenefitsExpense
1092 Less: charged within provisions (a) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:EmployeeBenefitsChargedWithinProvisions
1093 101180 - Disclosure - Impairment charges - Summary of impairment charges (Detail) Network

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1094 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Table] Table

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*

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1095 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1096 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1097 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
1098 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
1099 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
1100 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
1101 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1102 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1103 ISAL Smelter [member] Member rio:ISALSmelterMember
1104 Roughrider [member] Member rio:RoughriderMember
1105 Rossing [member] Member rio:RossingMember
1106 Argyle Diamond Mine [member] Member rio:ArgyleDiamondMineMember
1107 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1108 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1109 Goodwill [Member] Member ifrs-full:GoodwillMember
1110 Intangible assets [Member] Member rio:IntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillMember
1111 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member rio:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentsMember
1112 Other assets and liabilities [member] Member rio:OtherImpairedAssetsAndLiabilitiesMember
1113 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss Recognised Or Reversed [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossRecognisedOrReversedLineItems
1114 Pre-tax impairment charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLoss
1115 Total impairment charge net of reversals in the financial information by business unit Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossNetOfEquityAccountedUnitsBeforeTax
1116 Taxation (including related to EAUs) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:TaxEffectOfImpairmentOfGoodwill
1117 Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossNoncontrollingInterests
1118 Total impairment in the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossRecognizedInProfitOrLossAfterTaxIncludingNCI
1119 Impairment charges, Tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossTaxation
1120 Impairment charges, Non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
1121 Impairment charge, net amount Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossNetOfTax
1122 101190 - Disclosure - Impairment charges - Additional information (Detail) Network

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1123 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss And Reversal Of Impairment Loss [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossTable
1124 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1125 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1126 ISAL Smelter [member] Member rio:ISALSmelterMember
1127 Rossing [member] Member rio:RossingMember
1128 Argyle Diamond Mine [member] Member rio:ArgyleDiamondMineMember
1129 Roughrider [member] Member rio:RoughriderMember
1130 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis] Axis ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
1131 Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1132 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1133 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
1134 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
1135 Aluminerie Alouette Inc Member rio:AluminerieAlouetteIncMember
1136 Alufluor Ab Member rio:AlufluorAbMember
1137 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1138 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1139 Netherlands [Member] Member country:NL
1140 Sweden [Member] Member country:SE
1141 Namibia [Member] Member country:NA
1142 Namibia, Dollars Member currency:NAD
1143 Australia [Member] Member country:AU
1144 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
1145 Mongolia [Member] Member country:MN
1146 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
1147 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
1148 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
1149 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
1150 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1151 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1152 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member rio:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentsMember
1153 Disclosure Of Impairment Loss And Reversal Of Impairment Loss [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfImpairmentLossAndReversalOfImpairmentLossLineItems
1154 Percentage of ownership interest to be sold Concept (Percent) As Of rio:PercentageOfOwnershipInterestToBeSold
1155 Business acquisition binding offer amount Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:HeadlineSalesPrice
1156 Pre-tax impairment charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossReversalOfImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1157 Description of impairment trigger assessment Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:ExplanationOfMainEventsAndCircumstancesThatLedToRecognitionOfImpairmentLossesAndReversalsOfImpairmentLosses
1158 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1159 Recoverable amount of asset or cash-generating unit Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:RecoverableAmountOfAssetOrCashgeneratingUnit
1160 Pre-tax impairment charge net of reversals Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLoss
1161 Net present value of post tax cash flows discounted percentage Concept (Percent) For Period rio:NetPresentValueOfPostTaxCashFlowsDiscountedPercentage
1162 Carrying value from cash generating unit Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CarryingValueFromCashGeneratingUnit
1163 Increase in discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of rio:IncreaseInDiscountRateToEliminateHeadRoom
1164 Reduction of the copper price throughout the life of mine Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:MovementInCopperPriceToErodeHeadRoom
1165 long term reduction in copper price Concept (Percent) As Of rio:LongTermReductionInCopperPriceToErodeHeadRoom
1166 101200 - Disclosure - Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units - Summary of share of profit after tax of equity accounted units (Detail) Network

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1167 Disclosure Of Equity Accounted Units [Table] Table

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*

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1168 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1169 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1170 Rio Tinto [member] Member rio:RioTintoMember
1171 Disclosure Of Equity Accounted Units [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfEquityAccountedUnitsLineItems
1172 Sales revenue: Rio Tinto share Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
1173 Operating costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OperatingExpense
1174 Profit before finance items and taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation
1175 Finance items Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:FinanceIncomeCost
1176 Share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1177 Profit before taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1178 Taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1179 Profit for the year (Rio Tinto share) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossFromContinuingOperations
1180 101210 - Disclosure - Finance income and finance costs - Summary of finance income and finance costs (Detail) Network

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1181 Implied Table Table

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*

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1182 Material Income And Expense [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:MaterialIncomeAndExpenseAbstract
1183 Finance income from equity accounted units (Rio Tinto share) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:FinanceIncomeFromEquityAccountedUnits
1184 Other finance income (including bank deposits and other financial assets) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherFinanceIncome
1185 Total finance income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:FinanceIncome
1186 Interest on: Abstract rio:InterestOnFinanceAbstract
1187 – Financial liabilities at amortised cost and associated derivatives Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:InterestOnFinancialLiabilitiesAtAmortizedCostAndAssociatedDerivatives
1188 – Finance leases Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:InterestExpenseOnFinanceLeases
1189 Fair value movements: Abstract rio:FairValueMovementsAbstract
1190 – Bonds designated as hedged items in fair value hedges Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:BondsDesignatedAsHedgedItemsInFairValueHedges
1191 – Derivatives designated as hedging instruments in fair value hedges Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:DerivativesDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsInFairValueHedges
1192 Loss on early redemption of bonds Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:LossOnEarlyRedemptionOfBonds
1193 Amounts capitalised Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:BorrowingCostsCapitalised
1194 Total finance costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
1195 101220 - Disclosure - Finance income and finance costs - Summary of finance income and finance costs (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1196 Implied Table Table

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1197 Material Income And Expense [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:MaterialIncomeAndExpenseAbstract
1198 Premium charges for redemption of bonds Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RedemptionPremiumAmount
1199 Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs and Fees Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PaymentsForDebtIssueCosts
1200 Fair value hedge adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:FairValueHedgeAdjustment
1201 Reclassification of cost of hedging out of reserves Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ReclassificationOfCostOfHedgingToIncomeStatementAndRecognisedWithinFinanceCosts
1202 101230 - Disclosure - Taxation - Summary of taxation charge (Detail) Network

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1203 Implied Table Table

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1204 Major Components Of Tax Expense Income [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:MajorComponentsOfTaxExpenseIncomeAbstract
1205 – Current Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTaxExpenseIncome
1206 – Deferred Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncome
1207 Total taxation charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1208 101240 - Disclosure - Taxation - Summary of prima facie tax reconciliation (Detail) Network

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1209 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
1210 Reconciliation Of Accounting Profit Multiplied By Applicable Tax Rates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfAccountingProfitMultipliedByApplicableTaxRatesAbstract
1211 Profit before taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
1212 Deduct: share of profit after tax of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ShareOfProfitLossOfAssociatesAndJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1213 Parent companies' and subsidiaries' profit before tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitLossBeforeTaxParentsAndSubsidiaries
1214 Prima facie tax payable at UK rate of 19% (2017: 19%; 2016: 20%) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:TaxExpenseIncomeAtApplicableTaxRate
1215 Higher rate of taxation on Australian underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectFromHigherRateOfTaxationOnUnderlyingEarnings
1216 Impact of items excluded in arriving at underlying earnings Abstract rio:ImpactOfItemsExcludedInArrivingAtUnderlyingEarningsAbstract
1217 – Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfImpairmentChargesNetOfReversals
1218 – Net gains and losses on consolidation and disposal of interests in businesses Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectGainsAndLossesOnConsolidationAndDisposalOfBusinesses
1219 – Exchange and gains/(losses) on derivatives Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOnExchangeAndGainsLossesOnDerivatives
1220 – Losses from increases to closure estimates (non-operating and fully impaired sites) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:TaxEffectsGainsLossesOnClosureEstimateOfNonOperatingAndFullyImpairedSites
1221 – Gain relating to surplus land at Kitimat Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:TaxDifferentialArisingOnSaleOfLandAtKitimat
1222 – Changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfChangesInCorporateTaxRatesInTheUSAndFrance
1223 – Onerous port and rail contracts Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfOnerousContracts
1224 – Tax provision Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfTaxProvision
1225 – Tax charge relating to expected divestments Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:TaxChargeRelatingToExpectedDivestmentsTax
1226 – Other exclusions Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfOtherExclusions
1227 Impact of changes in tax rates and laws Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:TaxEffectFromChangeInTaxRate
1228 Other tax rates applicable outside the UK and Australia on underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfOtherTaxRatesApplicableUkAndAustraliaOnUnderlyingEarnings
1229 Resource depletion and other depreciation allowances Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfResourceDepletionAndOtherDepreciationAllowances
1230 Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfRecognitionOfPreviouslyUnrecognizedDeferredTaxAssets
1231 Write-down of previously recognised deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxEffectOfWriteDownOfPreviouslyRecognisedDeferredTaxAssets
1232 Other items Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OtherTaxEffectsForReconciliationBetweenAccountingProfitAndTaxExpenseIncome
1233 Total taxation charge Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
1234 101250 - Disclosure - Taxation - Summary of prima facie tax reconciliation (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1235 Implied Table Table

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1236 Reconciliation Of Accounting Profit Multiplied By Applicable Tax Rates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ReconciliationOfAccountingProfitMultipliedByApplicableTaxRatesAbstract
1237 UK tax payable (receivable) rate Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ApplicableTaxRate
1238 Groups share of profit of equity accounted units net of tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncomeTaxOnShareOfProfitOfEquityAccountedUnits
1239 101260 - Disclosure - Taxation - Summary of tax relating to components of other comprehensive income or loss (Detail) Network

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1240 Implied Table Table

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1241 Income Tax Relating To Components Of Other Comprehensive Income That Will Be Reclassified To Profit Or Loss [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossAbstract
1242 – Cash flow hedge fair value (gains)/losses Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToCashFlowHedgesOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1243 Tax (charge)/credit on actuarial gains and losses on post-retirement benefit plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlansOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1244 Adjustments to deferred tax on post-retirement benefit plans due to changes in corporate tax rates in the US and France Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncomeTaxRelatingToAdjustmentsToDeferredTaxOnPostRetirementBenefitPlansDueToChangesInCorporateTaxRatesInUSAndFrance
1245 Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1246 101270 - Disclosure - Taxation - Summary of tax relating to components of other comprehensive income or loss (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1247 Implied Table Table

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*

 implied:Table
1248 Income Tax Relating To Components Of Other Comprehensive Income That Will Be Reclassified To Profit Or Loss [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeThatWillBeReclassifiedToProfitOrLossAbstract
1249 Deferred tax charge included in other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1250 Current tax charge included in other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CurrentTaxExpenseIncomeRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1251 101280 - Disclosure - Earnings per ordinary share - Summary of earnings (loss) per ordinary shares (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerOrdinaryShareSummaryOfEarningsLossPerOrdinarySharesDetail
1252 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
1253 Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareAbstract
1254 Basic earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOrdinaryEquityHoldersOfParentEntity
1255 Diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOrdinaryEquityHoldersOfParentEntityIncludingDilutiveEffects
1256 Basic earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Rio Tinto, Weighted average number of shares Concept (Shares) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
1257 Diluted earnings per share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Rio Tinto, Weighted average number of shares Concept (Shares) For Period ifrs-full:AdjustedWeightedAverageShares
1258 Basic earnings per share Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:BasicEarningsLossPerShare
1259 Diluted earnings per share Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:DilutedEarningsLossPerShare
1260 101290 - Disclosure - Earnings per ordinary share - Summary of earnings (loss) per ordinary shares (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerOrdinaryShareSummaryOfEarningsLossPerOrdinarySharesParentheticalDetail
1261 Earnings Per Share [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareTable
1262 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1263 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1264 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
1265 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1266 Earnings Per Share [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:EarningsPerShareLineItems
1267 Weighted average number of shares outstanding Concept (Shares) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageShares
1268 Effect of dilutive securities shares Concept (Shares) For Period ifrs-full:DilutiveEffectOfShareOptionsOnNumberOfOrdinaryShares
1269 Description of instruments with potential future dilutive effect not included in calculation of diluted earnings per share Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInstrumentsWithPotentialFutureDilutiveEffectNotIncludedInCalculationOfDilutedEarningsPerShareExplanatory
1270 101300 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of dividends paid (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfDividendsPaidDetail
1271 Disclosure of Dividends [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1272 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1273 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1274 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
1275 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1276 Dividend Type Axis rio:DividendTypeAxis
1277 Dividend Type Member rio:DividendTypeDomain
1278 Final Dividends [Member] Member rio:FinalDividendsMember
1279 Special Dividends [Member] Member rio:SpecialDividendsMember
1280 Disclosure of Dividends [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1281 Previous year final dividend paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToPriorYears
1282 Interim dividend paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToCurrentYear
1283 Dividends paid during the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParent
1284 Dividends per share: paid during the year Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersPerShare
1285 Dividends per share: proposed in the announcement of the results for the year Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:DividendsProposedOrDeclaredBeforeFinancialStatementsAuthorisedForIssueButNotRecognisedAsDistributionToOwnersPerShare
1286 101310 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of dividends per share (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfDividendsPerShareDetail
1287 Disclosure of Dividends [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1288 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1289 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1290 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
1291 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1292 Disclosure of Dividends [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1293 Previous year final dividend per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:DividendsPerShareAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToPriorYears
1294 Interim dividend per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:DividendsPerShareAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToCurrentYear
1295 101320 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of dividends per share (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfDividendsPerShareParentheticalDetail
1296 Disclosure of Dividends [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1297 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1298 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1299 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1300 Disclosure of Dividends [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1301 Franked final dividend percentage Concept (Percent) As Of rio:FrankedFinalDividendPercentage
1302 Franked Interim dividend percentage Concept (Percent) As Of rio:FrankedInterimDividendPercentage
1303 101330 - Disclosure - Dividends - Summary of number of shares dividend distributed (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsSummaryOfNumberOfSharesDividendDistributedDetail
1304 Disclosure of Dividends [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1305 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1306 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1307 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
1308 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1309 Disclosure of Dividends [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1310 Previous year final dividend number of shares Concept (Shares) For Period rio:PreviousYearDividendNumberOfShares
1311 Interim dividend number of shares Concept (Shares) For Period rio:InterimDividendNumberOfShares
1312 101340 - Disclosure - Dividends - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDividendsAdditionalInformationDetail
1313 Disclosure of Dividends [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDividendsTable
1314 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1315 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1316 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
1317 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
1318 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
1319 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
1320 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
1321 American depository receipts [member] Member rio:AmericanDepositoryReceiptsMember
1322 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis
1323 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [member] Member ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsMember
1324 Potential ordinary share transactions [Member] Member ifrs-full:PotentialOrdinaryShareTransactionsMember
1325 Dividend Type Axis rio:DividendTypeAxis
1326 Dividend Type Member rio:DividendTypeDomain
1327 Final Dividends [Member] Member rio:FinalDividendsMember
1328 Special Dividends [Member] Member rio:SpecialDividendsMember
1329 Disclosure of Dividends [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
1330 Final dividend per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:DividendsPerShareAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToPriorYears
1331 Interim dividend per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:DividendsPerShareAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToCurrentYear
1332 Number of share excluded from previous year final dividend calculation Concept (Shares) As Of rio:NumberOfShareExcludedFromFinalDividendCalculation
1333 Number of share excluded from interim dividend calculation Concept (Shares) As Of rio:NumberOfShareExcludedFromInterimDividendCalculation
1334 Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
1335 Dividends per share: proposed in the announcement of the results for the year Concept (Share) For Period ifrs-full:DividendsProposedOrDeclaredBeforeFinancialStatementsAuthorisedForIssueButNotRecognisedAsDistributionToOwnersPerShare
1336 Dividends payment proposed in the announcement of the results for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DividendsProposedOrDeclaredBeforeFinancialStatementsAuthorisedForIssueButNotRecognisedAsDistributionToOwners
1337 Dividends payment date Concept (Date) For Period rio:DividendsPayableDateToBePaidDayMonthAndYear
1338 Dividends record date Concept (Date) For Period rio:DividendsPayableDateOfRecordDayMonthAndYear1
1339 Retained profits and reserves distributed as dividends Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RetainedProfitsAndReservesDistributedAsDividendsAfterDeductingFrankingCredits
1340 101350 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Summary of goodwill (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillSummaryOfGoodwillDetail
1341 Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Changes In Goodwill [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillTable
1342 Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1343 Carrying amount [member] Member ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1344 Cost [member] Member ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1345 Accumulated impairment [Member] Member ifrs-full:AccumulatedImpairmentMember
1346 Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillLineItems
1347 Goodwill at beginning of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Goodwill
1348 Adjustment on currency translation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesGoodwill
1349 Goodwill at end of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Goodwill
1350 101360 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Summary of Allocated goodwill (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillSummaryOfAllocatedGoodwillDetail
1351 Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Changes In Goodwill [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillTable
1352 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1353 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1354 Richards Bay Minerals [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMineralsMember
1355 Pilbara [member] Member rio:PilbaraMember
1356 Dampier Salt [member] Member rio:DampierSaltMember
1357 Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillLineItems
1358 Goodwill Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Goodwill
1359 101370 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAdditionalInformationDetail
1360 Disclosure Of Reconciliation Of Changes In Goodwill [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillTable
1361 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1362 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1363 Richards Bay Minerals [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMineralsMember
1364 Pilbara [member] Member rio:PilbaraMember
1365 Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in goodwill [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfReconciliationOfChangesInGoodwillLineItems
1366 Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossGoodwill
1367 Fair value less costs of disposal, post-tax discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:DiscountRateUsedInCurrentMeasurementOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposal
1368 Description of valuation techniques used to measure fair value less costs of disposal Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfValuationTechniquesUsedToMeasureFairValueLessCostsOfDisposal
1369 Description of level of fair value hierarchy within which fair value measurement is categorized Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfLevelOfFairValueHierarchyWithinWhichFairValueMeasurementIsCategorised
1370 Description of basis on which recoverable amount determined Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfBasisOnWhichUnitsRecoverableAmountHasBeenDetermined
1371 101380 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Key assumptions calculation of fair value less costs of disposal (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalDetail
1372 Disclosure Of Key Assumptions Calculation Of Fair Value Less Costs Of Disposal [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalTable
1373 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1374 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1375 Richards Bay Minerals [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMineralsMember
1376 Cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesAxis
1377 Entity's total for cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1378 5% decrease in the titanium slag price [member] Member rio:FivePercentageDecreaseInTheTitaniumSlagPriceMember
1379 1% increase in the discount rate applied to post-tax cash flows [member] Member rio:OnePercentageIncreaseInTheDiscountRateAppliedToPosttaxCashFlowsMember
1380 10% strengthening of South African rand [member] Member rio:TenPercentageStrengtheningOfSouthAfricanRandMember
1381 Disclosure of key assumptions calculation of fair value less costs of disposal [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalLineItems
1382 Corresponding decrease in FVLCD Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:RecoverableAmountOfAssetOrCashgeneratingUnit
1383 101390 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Key assumptions calculation of fair value less costs of disposal (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalParentheticalDetail
1384 Disclosure Of Key Assumptions Calculation Of Fair Value Less Costs Of Disposal [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalTable
1385 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1386 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1387 Richards Bay Minerals [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMineralsMember
1388 Cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsWithSignificantAmountOfGoodwillOrIntangibleAssetsWithIndefiniteUsefulLivesAxis
1389 Entity's total for cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1390 5% decrease in the titanium slag price [member] Member rio:FivePercentageDecreaseInTheTitaniumSlagPriceMember
1391 1% increase in the discount rate applied to post-tax cash flows [member] Member rio:OnePercentageIncreaseInTheDiscountRateAppliedToPosttaxCashFlowsMember
1392 10% strengthening of South African rand [member] Member rio:TenPercentageStrengtheningOfSouthAfricanRandMember
1393 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
1394 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
1395 Titanium [member] Member rio:TitaniumMember
1396 Disclosure of key assumptions calculation of fair value less costs of disposal [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfKeyAssumptionsCalculationOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposalLineItems
1397 Percentage of decrease in the titanium slag price Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfDecreaseInSlagPrice
1398 Fair value less costs of disposal, post-tax discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:DiscountRateUsedInCurrentMeasurementOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposal
1399 Strengthening percentage of the South African rand Concept (Percent) For Period rio:StrengtheningPercentageOfForeignCurrency
1400 101400 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Summary of intangible assets (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssetsDetail
1401 Disclosure Of Intangible Assets [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1402 Classes of intangible assets other than goodwill [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillAxis
1403 Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] Member ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillMember
1404 Exploration and evaluation [member] Member ifrs-full:IntangibleExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsMember
1405 Trademarks, patented and non-patented technology [member] Member rio:TrademarksPatentedAndNonpatentedTechnologyMember
1406 Contract based intangible assets [member] Member rio:ContractBasedIntangibleAssetMember
1407 Other intangible assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
1408 Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1409 Carrying amount [member] Member ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1410 Cost [member] Member ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1411 Accumulated amortisation and impairment [member] Member ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1412 Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
1413 Intangible assets at beginning of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1414 Adjustment on currency translation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1415 Expenditure during the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1416 Amortisation for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:AmortisationIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1417 Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1418 Disposals, transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DisposalsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1419 Intangible assets at end of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1420 101410 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Summary of intangible assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfIntangibleAssetsParentheticalDetail
1421 Disclosure Of Intangible Assets [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1422 Classes of intangible assets other than goodwill [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillAxis
1423 Intangible assets other than goodwill [member] Member ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillMember
1424 Water rights [member] Member rio:WaterRightsMember
1425 Trademarks [member] Member rio:TrademarkMember
1426 Patented and non-patented technology [member] Member rio:PatentedAndNonpatentedTechnologyMember
1427 Power contracts water rights [member] Member rio:PowerContractsWaterRightsMember
1428 Other purchase and customer contracts [member] Member rio:OtherPurchaseAndCustomerContractsMember
1429 Computer software [Member] Member ifrs-full:ComputerSoftwareMember
1430 Other intangible assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
1431 Exploration and evaluation [member] Member ifrs-full:IntangibleExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsMember
1432 Individual assets or cash-generating units [axis] Axis ifrs-full:IndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsAxis
1433 Entity's total for individual assets or cash-generating units [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForIndividualAssetsOrCashgeneratingUnitsMember
1434 Quebec smelters [member] Member rio:QuebecSmeltersMember
1435 Kemano Tunnel Project [Member] Member rio:KemanoTunnelProjectMember
1436 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1437 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
1438 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1439 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1440 Methods of generation [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MethodsOfGenerationAxis
1441 Methods of generation [member] Member ifrs-full:MethodsOfGenerationMember
1442 Internally generated [Member] Member ifrs-full:InternallyGeneratedMember
1443 Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
1444 Intangible assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1445 Fair value less costs of disposal, post-tax discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:DiscountRateUsedInCurrentMeasurementOfFairValueLessCostsOfDisposal
1446 Description of recoverable amount of asset is fair value less costs of disposal or value in use Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:InformationWhetherRecoverableAmountOfAssetIsFairValueLessCostsToSellOrValueInUse
1447 Description of level of fair value hierarchy within which fair value measurement is categorized Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfLevelOfFairValueHierarchyWithinWhichFairValueMeasurementIsCategorised
1448 Finite life intangible assets, useful lives Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:UsefulLivesOrAmortisationRatesIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1449 Disposals, transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DisposalsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1450 101420 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Summary of exploration and evaluation expenditure (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditureDetail
1451 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
1452 Exploration And Evaluation Expenditure [Abstract] Abstract rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditureAbstract
1453 Net expenditure in the year (net of cash proceeds of US$233 million (2017: US$3 million; 2016: US$208 million) on disposal of undeveloped projects) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditure
1454 Non-cash movements and non-cash proceeds on disposal of undeveloped projects Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:NoncashMovementsAndProceedsOnDisposalOfUndevelopedProjects
1455 Amount capitalised during the year Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesArisingFromExplorationForAndEvaluationOfMineralResources
1456 Net charge for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationCharge
1457 Reconciliation to income statement Abstract rio:ReconciliationToIncomeStatementAbstract
1458 Exploration and evaluation costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseArisingFromExplorationForAndEvaluationOfMineralResources
1459 Profit/(loss) relating to interests in undeveloped projects Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitLossRelatingToInterestsInUndevelopedProjects
1460 Net charge for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationCharge
1461 101430 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Summary of exploration and evaluation expenditure (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsSummaryOfExplorationAndEvaluationExpenditureParentheticalDetail
1462 Disclosure Of Intangible Assets [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1463 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
1464 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
1465 Valeria [Member] Member rio:ValeriaMember
1466 Winchester South [Member] Member rio:WinchesterSouthMember
1467 Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
1468 Net proceeds on disposal of undeveloped projects Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOfExplorationAndEvaluationAssets
1469 Gain on sales of undeveloped properties Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:GainOnSalesOfUndevelopedProperties
1470 101440 - Disclosure - Intangible assets - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail
1471 Disclosure Of Intangible Assets [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsTable
1472 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1473 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1474 Exploration and evaluation assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:ExplorationAndEvaluationAssetsMember
1475 Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
1476 Capitalised related to projects which had not yet been approved to proceed Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:ConstructionInProgress
1477 Exploration and evaluation costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseArisingFromExplorationForAndEvaluationOfMineralResources
1478 Early works expenditure within property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentExpendituresRecognisedForConstructions
1479 101450 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Summary of property, plant and equipment (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDetail
1480 Disclosure Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1481 Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1482 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1483 Mining properties and leases [member] Member ifrs-full:MiningAssetsMember
1484 Land and buildings [Member] Member ifrs-full:LandAndBuildingsMember
1485 Plant and equipment [member] Member ifrs-full:OtherPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1486 Capital works in progress [member] Member ifrs-full:ConstructionInProgressMember
1487 Carrying amount, accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment and gross carrying amount [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CarryingAmountAccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentAndGrossCarryingAmountAxis
1488 Carrying amount [member] Member ifrs-full:CarryingAmountMember
1489 Cost [member] Member ifrs-full:GrossCarryingAmountMember
1490 Accumulated amortisation and impairment [member] Member ifrs-full:AccumulatedDepreciationAmortisationAndImpairmentMember
1491 Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
1492 Property, plant and equipment at beginning of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1493 Adjustment on currency translation (c) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1494 Adjustments to capitalised closure costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ChangesInPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1495 Amounts capitalised Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:BorrowingCostsCapitalised
1496 Additions Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AdditionsOtherThanThroughBusinessCombinationsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1497 Depreciation for the year (a) (e) Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1498 Impairment charges (f) Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLossPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1499 Disposals Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DisposalsPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1500 Subsidiaries no longer consolidated (g) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughLossOfControlOfSubsidiaryPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1501 Transfers and other movements (h) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1502 Property, plant and equipment at end of period Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1503 Non-current assets held under finance leases (i) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:RecognisedFinanceLeaseAsAssets
1504 Non-current assets pledged as security (j) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPledgedAsSecurity
1505 101460 - Disclosure - Property, plant and equipment - Summary of property, plant and equipment (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentSummaryOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentParentheticalDetail
1506 Disclosure Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable
1507 Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1508 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1509 Capitalised production phase stripping costs [Member] Member rio:CapitalisedProductionPhaseStrippingCostsMember
1510 Freehold [member] Member rio:FreeholdMember
1511 Long leasehold [member] Member rio:LongLeaseholdMember
1512 Land [Member] Member ifrs-full:LandMember
1513 Buildings [Member] Member ifrs-full:BuildingsMember
1514 Plant and equipment [member] Member ifrs-full:OtherPropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1515 Power generating assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:PowerGeneratingAssetsMember
1516 Capital works in progress [member] Member ifrs-full:ConstructionInProgressMember
1517 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1518 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1519 Subsidiaries [Member] Member ifrs-full:SubsidiariesMember
1520 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1521 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1522 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member rio:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentsMember
1523 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
1524 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
1525 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
1526 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
1527 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
1528 Disclosure of detailed information about property, plant and equipment [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
1529 Capitalised production phase stripping costs, carrying amount Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CapitalizedProductionPhaseStrippingCosts
1530 Capitalisation of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CapitalisationCostOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1531 Capitalisation offset by depreciation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CapitalisationPartlyOffsetByDepreciation
1532 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DepreciationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1533 Land and buildings carrying amount Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:LandAndBuildings
1534 Average borrowing rate used for capitalisation of interest Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:CapitalisationRateOfBorrowingCostsEligibleForCapitalisation
1535 Useful lives of property, plant and equipment Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:UsefulLivesOrDepreciationRatesPropertyPlantAndEquipment
1536 Loans secured by non-current assets collateral Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPortionOfNoncurrentSecuredBankLoansReceived
1537 101470 - Disclosure - Investments in equity accounted units - Summary of Investments in equity accounted units (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsSummaryOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsDetail
1538 Disclosure Of Investments In Equity Accounted Units [Table] Table

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*

 rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsTable
1539 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1540 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1541 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
1542 Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsLineItems
1543 – Non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
1544 – Current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
1545 Total assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Assets
1546 – Current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
1547 – Non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
1548 Total liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Liabilities
1549 Rio Tinto's share of net assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1550 101480 - Disclosure - Investments in equity accounted units - Additional information (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsAdditionalInformationDetail
1551 Disclosure Of Investments In Equity Accounted Units [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsTable
1552 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
1553 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
1554 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
1555 Disclosure of Investments in equity accounted units [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfInvestmentsInEquityAccountedUnitsLineItems
1556 Investments in equity accounted units with shares listed on recognised stock exchanges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodWithSharesListedOnStockExchanges
1557 Net debt of the Group Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
1558 101490 - Disclosure - Inventories - Summary of inventories (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesSummaryOfInventoriesDetail
1559 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
1560 Classes Of Inventories [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:ClassesOfInventoriesAbstract
1561 Raw materials and purchased components Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentRawMaterialsAndCurrentProductionSupplies
1562 Consumable stores Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:ProductionSupplies
1563 Work in progress Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:WorkInProgress
1564 Finished goods and goods for resale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinishedGoods
1565 Total inventories Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InventoriesTotal
1566 Expected to be used within one year Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Inventories
1567 Expected to be used after more than one year Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentInventories
1568 101510 - Disclosure - Inventories - Additional information (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoriesAdditionalInformationDetail
1569 Classes Of Inventories [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:ClassesOfInventoriesTable
1570 Retrospective application and retrospective restatement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RetrospectiveApplicationAndRetrospectiveRestatementAxis
1571 Currently stated [member] Member ifrs-full:RestatedMember
1572 Previously Stated [Member] Member ifrs-full:PreviouslyStatedMember
1573 Classes Of Inventories [Line Items] LineItems rio:ClassesOfInventoriesLineItems
1574 Inventory write-downs, net of reversals Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:WritedownsReversalsOfInventories
1575 Net inventory write- back Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:ReversalOfInventoryWritedown
1576 Inventory partly write offs Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughWriteoffFinancialAssets
1577 Disclosure - Inventories - Additional information (Detail) [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureInventoriesAdditionalInformationDetailLineItems
1578 Inventories pledged as security for liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InventoriesPledgedAsSecurityForLiabilities
1579 101520 - Disclosure - Deferred Taxation - Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability asset (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredTaxationReconciliationOfChangesInDeferredTaxLiabilityAssetDetail
1580 Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
1581 Retrospective application and retrospective restatement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RetrospectiveApplicationAndRetrospectiveRestatementAxis
1582 Currently stated [member] Member ifrs-full:RestatedMember
1583 Previously Stated [Member] Member ifrs-full:PreviouslyStatedMember
1584 Increase (decrease) due to application of IFRS 15 [member] Member ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseDueToApplicationOfIFRS15Member
1585 Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
1586 Deferred tax liability/(asset) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
1587 Adjustment to opening balance on transition to IFRS 15 Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:AdjustmentsToDeferredTaxLiabilityAssets
1588 Adjustment on currency translation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesDeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
1589 Charged to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1590 Charged to statement of comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
1591 Disposals Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughLossOfControlOfSubsidiaryDeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
1592 Other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DeferredTaxRelatingToItemsChargedOrCreditedDirectlyToEquity
1593 Deferred tax liability/(asset) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilityAsset
1594 – deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
1595 – deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1596 101530 - Disclosure - Deferred Taxation - Deferred tax liabilities and assets, prior to offsetting of balances (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredTaxationDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAndAssetsPriorToOffsettingOfBalancesDetail
1597 Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
1598 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
1599 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member] Member ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
1600 Capital allowances [member] Member rio:CapitalAllowancesMember
1601 Unremitted earnings [member] Member rio:UnremittedEarningsMember
1602 Capitalised interest [member] Member rio:CapitalisedInterestMember
1603 Unrealised exchange gains (losses) [member] Member ifrs-full:UnrealisedForeignExchangeGainsLossesMember
1604 Other temporary differences [member] Member ifrs-full:OtherTemporaryDifferencesMember
1605 Tax losses [member] Member rio:TaxLossesMember
1606 Provisions [member] Member rio:ProvisionsMember
1607 Post-retirement benefits [member] Member rio:PostretirementBenefitsMember
1608 Tax on unremitted earnings [member] Member rio:TaxOnUnremittedEarningsMember
1609 Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
1610 Deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxLiabilities
1611 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetDeferredTaxAssets
1612 Charged/(credited) to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:DeferredTaxExpenseIncomeRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
1613 101540 - Disclosure - Deferred Taxation - Deferred tax liabilities and assets, prior to offsetting of balances (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredTaxationDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAndAssetsPriorToOffsettingOfBalancesParentheticalDetail
1614 Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
1615 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1616 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1617 Later than one year [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearMember
1618 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
1619 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member] Member ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
1620 Unused tax losses [Member] Member ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesMember
1621 Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
1622 Deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
1623 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1624 Deferred tax is not recognised on the unremitted earnings of subsidiaries and joint ventures Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferencesAssociatedWithInvestmentsInSubsidiariesBranchesAndAssociatesAndInterestsInJointVentures
1625 Tax payable on unremitted earnings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DeferredTaxPayableOnUnremittedEarnings
1626 Deferred tax loss recovery period Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:DeferredTaxLossRecoveryMinimumPeriod
1627 Recognised and unrecognised deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DeferredTaxAssetsRecognisedAndUnrecognised
1628 Unrecognised deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesForWhichNoDeferredTaxAssetRecognised
1629 101550 - Disclosure - Deferred Taxation - Recognised and unrecognised amounts in deferred tax assets (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredTaxationRecognisedAndUnrecognisedAmountsInDeferredTaxAssetsDetail
1630 Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
1631 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1632 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1633 France [member] Member country:FR
1634 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
1635 United States [Member] Member country:US
1636 Australia [Member] Member country:AU
1637 Mongolia [Member] Member country:MN
1638 Other countries [Member] Member rio:OtherCountriesMember
1639 Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
1640 Recognised Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1641 Unrecognised Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesForWhichNoDeferredTaxAssetRecognised
1642 101560 - Disclosure - Deferred Taxation - Recognised and unrecognised amounts in deferred tax assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDeferredTaxationRecognisedAndUnrecognisedAmountsInDeferredTaxAssetsParentheticalDetail
1643 Disclosure Of Temporary Difference Unused Tax Losses And Unused Tax Credits [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsTable
1644 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
1645 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
1646 Mongolia [Member] Member country:MN
1647 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsAxis
1648 Temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [member] Member ifrs-full:TemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsMember
1649 Tax losses [member] Member rio:TaxLossesMember
1650 Realised or unrealised capital losses [member] Member rio:RealisedOrUnrealisedCapitalLossesMember
1651 Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTemporaryDifferenceUnusedTaxLossesAndUnusedTaxCreditsLineItems
1652 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1653 Deferred tax loss recovery period Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:DeferredTaxLossRecoveryMinimumPeriod
1654 Unrecognised deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:UnusedTaxLossesForWhichNoDeferredTaxAssetRecognised
1655 101570 - Disclosure - Trade and other receivables - Summary of trade and other receivables (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesDetail
1656 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
1657 Trade And Other Receivables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesAbstract
1658 Non-current trade receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentTradeReceivables
1659 Non-current other financial receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherNoncurrentFinancialReceivables
1660 Non-current amounts due from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
1661 Non-current other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentReceivables
1662 Non-current prepayment of tolling charges to jointly controlled entities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NoncurrentPrepaymentOfTollingChargesToJointlyControlledEntities
1663 Non-current pension surpluses Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NonCurrentPensionSupluses
1664 Non-current other prepayments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPrepayments
1665 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentReceivables
1666 Current trade receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTradeReceivables
1667 Current other financial receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherCurrentFinancialReceivables
1668 Current amounts due from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
1669 Current other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentReceivables
1670 Current prepayment of tolling charges to jointly controlled entities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CurrentPrepaymentOfTollingChargesToJointlyControlledEntities
1671 Current pension surpluses Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CurrentPensionSurpluses
1672 Current other prepayments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentPrepayments
1673 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
1674 Trade receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeReceivables
1675 Other financial receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherFinancialReceivables
1676 Amounts due from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:AmountsDueFromEquityAccountedUnitsExcludingTollingChargesToJointlyControlledEntities
1677 Other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherReceivables
1678 Prepayment of tolling charges to jointly controlled entities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:PrepaymentOfTollingChargesToJointlyControlledEntities
1679 Pension surpluses Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:SurplusInPlan
1680 Other prepayments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Prepayments
1681 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivables
1682 101580 - Disclosure - Trade and other receivables - Summary of trade and other receivables (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureTradeAndOtherReceivablesSummaryOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesParentheticalDetail
1683 Trade And Other Receivables [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:TradeAndOtherReceivablesTable
1684 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
1685 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
1686 IAS 39 [member] Member rio:IAS39Member
1687 IFRS 9 [member] Member rio:IFRS9Member
1688 Trade And Other Receivables [Line Items] LineItems rio:TradeAndOtherReceivablesLineItems
1689 Net of provisions for doubtful debts Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:AllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1690 Increase in provision Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseInExpectedCreditLossRelatingToReceivables
1691 Provision utilised Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:UtilisationAllowanceAccountForCreditLossesOfFinancialAssets
1692 101590 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale - Additional information (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAdditionalInformationDetail
1693 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTable
1694 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis] Axis ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
1695 Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1696 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1697 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
1698 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
1699 Rossing Uranium [member] Member rio:RossingUraniumLimitedMember
1700 ISAL Smelter [member] Member rio:ISALSmelterMember
1701 Dunkerque Aluminium Smelter [Member] Member rio:DunkerqueAluminiumSmelterMember
1702 Classes of property, plant and equipment [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAxis
1703 Property, plant and equipment [member] Member ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentMember
1704 Mining properties [member] Member rio:MiningPropertiesMember
1705 Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Abstract] Abstract rio:AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAbstract
1706 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale Line Item Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleLineItem
1707 Net Assets Of Assets Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:NetAssetsOfAssetsHeldForSale
1708 Expected Loss On Asset Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ExpectedLossOnAssetHeldForSale
1709 101590 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale - Additional information (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAdditionalInformationDetail
1710 Implied Table Table

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*

 implied:Table
1711 Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Abstract] Abstract rio:AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAbstract
1712 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale Line Item Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleLineItem
1713 Ownership interest in subsidiary Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:NetAssetsOfAssetsHeldForSale
1714 Expected loss on asset held for sale Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ExpectedLossOnAssetHeldForSale
1715 101600 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale - Summary of major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleSummaryOfMajorClassesOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleDetail
1716 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Table] Table

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 rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTable
1717 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis] Axis ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
1718 Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1719 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
1720 Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Abstract] Abstract rio:AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAbstract
1721 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale Line Item Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleLineItem
1722 Assets [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
1723 Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1724 Property Plant And Equipment Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1725 Investment Accounted For Using Equity Method Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1726 Inventories Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:InventoriesHeldForSale
1727 Deferred Tax Assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1728 Trade And Other Receivables Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:TradeAndOtherReceivablesHeldForSale
1729 Other Financial Assets Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherFinancialAssetsHeldForSale
1730 Cash And Cash Equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1731 Assets Classified As Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:AssetsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
1732 Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
1733 Trade And Other Payables Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TradeAndOtherPayablesHeldForSale
1734 Provisions Including Post Retirement Benefits Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ProvisionsIncludingPostRetirementBenefitsHeldForSale
1735 Liabilities Included In Disposal Groups Classified As Held For Sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
1736 Net Assets Liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1737 101600 - Disclosure - Assets and liabilities held for sale - Summary of major classes of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale (Detail) Network

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1738 Implied Table Table

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1739 Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale [Abstract] Abstract rio:AssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleAbstract
1740 Disclosure Of Assets And Liabilities Held For Sale Line Item Abstract rio:DisclosureOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleLineItem
1741 Assets Abstract ifrs-full:AssetsAbstract
1742 Intangible assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:IntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
1743 Property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:PropertyPlantAndEquipment
1744 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1745 Inventories Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:InventoriesHeldForSale
1746 Deferred tax assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxAssets
1747 Trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:TradeAndOtherReceivablesHeldForSale
1748 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherFinancialAssetsHeldForSale
1749 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1750 Assets of disposal groups held for sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:AssetsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
1751 Liabilities Abstract ifrs-full:LiabilitiesAbstract
1752 Trade and other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TradeAndOtherPayablesHeldForSale
1753 Provisions including post-retirement benefits Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ProvisionsIncludingPostRetirementBenefitsHeldForSale
1754 Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesIncludedInDisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSale
1755 Net assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
1756 101610 - Disclosure - Other financial assets (including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units) - Summary of other financial assets including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units (Detail) Network

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1757 Implied Table Table

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1758 Disclosure Of Other Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
1759 Non-current derivative financial instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
1760 Non-current equity shares and quoted funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NoncurrentEquitySharesAndQuotedFunds
1761 Other non-current investments, including loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1762 Non-current loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NoncurrentLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1763 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialAssets
1764 Current derivative financial instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
1765 Current equity shares and quoted funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CurrentEquitySharesAndQuotedFunds
1766 Other current investments, including loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentInvestments
1767 Current loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CurrentLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1768 Other financial assets (including loans to equity accounted units) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialAssets
1769 Derivative financial instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1770 Equity shares and quoted funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:EquitySharesAndQuotedFunds
1771 Other investments, including loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
1772 Loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:LoansToEquityAccountedUnits
1773 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:OtherFinancialAssets
1774 101620 - Disclosure - Other financial assets (including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units) - Summary of other financial assets including non-quasi equity loans to equity accounted units (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1775 Implied Table Table

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1776 Disclosure Of Other Assets [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfOtherAssetsAbstract
1777 Highly liquid financial assets held in managed investment funds classified as held for trading Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossClassifiedAsHeldForTrading
1778 101630 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents - Summary of cash and cash equivalents (Detail) Network

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1779 Implied Table Table

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1780 Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract
1781 Cash at bank and in hand Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Cash
1782 Money market funds and other cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:ShorttermInvestmentsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
1783 Balance per Group balance sheet Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
1784 Bank overdrafts repayable on demand (unsecured) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:BankOverdraftsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
1785 Cash and cash equivalents included in Assets held for sale Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsClassifiedAsPartOfDisposalGroupHeldForSale
1786 Balance per Group cash flow statement Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsIfDifferentFromStatementOfFinancialPosition
1787 101640 - Disclosure - Cash and cash equivalents - Additional information (Detail) Network

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1788 Disclosure Of Cash And Cash Equivalents [Table] Table

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1789 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
1790 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
1791 Subsidiaries [Member] Member ifrs-full:SubsidiariesMember
1792 Disclosure of cash and cash equivalents [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfCashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems
1793 Restricted cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents
1794 Repayment of third party borrowings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentAvailableToRepayBorrowings
1795 101650 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities - Summary of detailed information about borrowings (Detail) Network

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1796 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Borrowings [Table] Table

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1797 Borrowings by name [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1798 Borrowings by name [member] Member ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1799 Rio Tinto Finance plc Euro Bonds 2.0% due 2020 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinancePlcEuroBondsTwoPointZeroPercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyMember
1800 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 4.125% 2021 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSALimitedBondsFourPointOneTwoFivePercentageTwothousandAndTwentyOneMember
1801 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 3.750% 2021 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSALimitedBondsThreePointSevenFiveZeroPercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyOneMember
1802 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc Bonds 3.5% 2022 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSAPlcBondsThreePointFivePercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyTwoMember
1803 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc Bonds 2.875% 2022 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSAPlcBondsTwoPointEightSevenFivePercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyTwoMember
1804 Rio Tinto Finance plc Euro Bonds 2.875% due 2024 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinancePlcEuroBondsTwoPointEightSevenFivePercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyFourMember
1805 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 3.75% 2025 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUsaLimitedBondsThreePointSevenFivePercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyFiveMember
1806 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 7.125% 2028 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSALimitedBondsSevenPointOneTwoFivePercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyEightMember
1807 Alcan Inc. Debentures 7.25% due 2028 [member] Member rio:AlcanIncDebenturesSevenPointTwoFivePercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyEightMember
1808 Rio Tinto Finance plc Sterling Bonds 4.0% due 2029 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinancePlcSterlingBondsFourPointZeroPercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyNineMember
1809 Alcan Inc. Debentures 7.25% due 2031 [member] Member rio:AlcanIncDebenturesSevenPointTwoFivePercentageDueTwoThousandAndThirtyOneMember
1810 Alcan Inc. Global Notes 6.125% due 2033 [member] Member rio:AlcanIncGlobalNotesSixPointOneTwoFiveDueTwoThousandAndThirtyThreeMember
1811 Alcan Inc. Global Notes 5.75% due 2035 [member] Member rio:AlcanIncGlobalNotesFivePointSevenFivePercentagesDueTwoThousandAndThirtyFiveMember
1812 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 5.2% 2040 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSALimitedBondsFivePointTwoPercentageTwoThousandAndFortyMember
1813 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc Bonds 4.75% 2042 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUsaPlcBondsFourPointSevenFivePercentageTwoThousandAndFortyTwoMember
1814 Oyu Tolgoi LLC MIGA Insured Loan LIBOR plus 2.65% due 2027 [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLLCMIGAInsuredLoanLIBORPlusTwoPointSixFivePercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentySevenMember
1815 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc Bonds 4.125% 2042 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSAPlcBondsFourPointOneTwoFiveTwoThousandAndFortyTwoMember
1816 Oyu Tolgoi LLC Commercial Banks "B Loan" LIBOR plus 3.4% due 2027 [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLLCCommercialBanksBLoanLIBORPlusThreePointFourPercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentySevenMember
1817 Oyu Tolgoi LLC Export Credit Agencies Loan 2.3% due 2028 [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLLCExportCreditAgenciesLoanTwoPointThreePercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyEightMember
1818 Oyu Tolgoi LLC Export Credit Agencies Loan LIBOR plus 3.65% due 2029 [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLLCExportCreditAgenciesLoanLIBORPlusThreePointSixFivePercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyNineMember
1819 Oyu Tolgoi LLC International Financial Instritutions "A Loan" LIBOR plus 3.78% due 2030 [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLLCInternationalFinancialInstitutionsALoanLIBORPlusThreePointSevenEightPercentageDueTwoThousandAndThirtyMember
1820 Loans from equity accounted units [member] Member rio:LoansFromEquityAccountedUnitsMember
1821 Other secured loans [member] Member rio:OtherSecuredLoansMember
1822 Other unsecured loans [member] Member rio:OtherUnsecuredLoansMember
1823 Finance leases [member] Member ifrs-full:LeaseReceivablesMember
1824 Bank overdrafts [member] Member rio:BankOverdraftMember
1825 Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1826 Borrowings, interest rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:BorrowingsInterestRate
1827 Borrowing maturity Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:BorrowingsMaturity
1828 Non-current borrowing Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
1829 Current borrowings including overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
1830 Total borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
1831 101660 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities - Summary of detailed information about borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1832 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Borrowings [Table] Table

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1833 Plans Name Axis rio:PlansNameAxis
1834 Plans Name Member rio:PlansNameDomain
1835 European debt issuance programme [member] Member rio:EuropeanDebtIssuanceProgrammeMember
1836 Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1837 Notional amount Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1838 Cumulative amount utilised from debt issuance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:CumulativeAmountUtilisedFromDebtIssuance
1839 Carrying value of bonds Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:BondsIssued
1840 Increase in stated percentage Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageIncrease
1841 Borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
1842 Subsidiary borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:SubsidiaryBorrowings
1843 Debt instrument restrictive covenants Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DebtInstrumentsRestrictiveCovenants
1844 101670 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities - Summary of borrowings and other financial liabilities (Detail) Network

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1845 Disclosure Of Borrowings And Other Financial Liabilities [Table] Table

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1846 Classes of financial liabilities [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
1847 Financial liabilities, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesMember
1848 Derivative financial instruments [member] Member rio:DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
1849 Other financial liability [Member] Member rio:OtherFinancialLiabilityMember
1850 Total Other financial liabilities [member] Member rio:NetOtherFinancialLiabilitiesMember
1851 Disclosure of borrowings and other financial liabilities [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfBorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
1852 Borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentFinancialLiabilities
1853 Total non-current borrowings including overdrafts (as above) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
1854 Total other current financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
1855 Total current borrowings including overdrafts (as above) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
1856 Total current borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentBorrowingsAndCurrentPortionOfNoncurrentBorrowings
1857 Total other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherFinancialLiabilities
1858 Total borrowings including overdrafts (as above) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
1859 Total borrowings and other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:BorrowingsAndOtherFinancialLiabilities
1860 101680 - Disclosure - Borrowings and other financial liabilities - Additional information (Detail) Network

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1861 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Borrowings [Table] Table

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1862 Currencies Axis rio:CurrenciesAxis
1863 Currencies Member Member rio:CurrenciesMember
1864 US Dollars [Member] Member currency:USD
1865 Euro Member Countries, Euro Member currency:EUR
1866 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
1867 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
1868 Interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
1869 Cross currency interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:CurrencySwapContractMember
1870 Borrowings by name [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1871 Borrowings by name [member] Member ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1872 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited Bonds 7.125% 2028 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUSALimitedBondsSevenPointOneTwoFivePercentageTwoThousandAndTwentyEightMember
1873 Rio Tinto Finance plc Sterling Bonds 4.0% due 2029 [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinancePlcSterlingBondsFourPointZeroPercentageDueTwoThousandAndTwentyNineMember
1874 Classes of financial liabilities [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
1875 Financial liabilities, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesMember
1876 Interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
1877 Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutBorrowingsLineItems
1878 Borrowings notional amount Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
1879 Borrowings at amortised cost Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtAmortisedCost
1880 Derivative financial assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
1881 Derivative financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
1882 101690 - Disclosure - Capitalised finance leases - Summary of capitalised finance leases (Detail) Network

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1883 Disclosure Of Maturity Analysis Of Finance Lease Payments Receivable [Table] Table

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1884 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
1885 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
1886 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
1887 Between 1 and 3 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
1888 Between 3 and 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
1889 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
1890 Disclosure Of Maturity Analysis Of Finance Lease Payments Payable [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisOfFinanceLeasePaymentsPayableLineItems
1891 Total minimum lease payments undiscounted Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:GrossFinanceLeaseObligations
1892 Effect of discounting Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DiscountedUnguaranteedResidualValueOfAssetsSubjectToFinanceLease
1893 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:MinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsPayableAtPresentValue
1894 Present value of minimum lease payments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:MinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsPayable
1895 101700 - Disclosure - Consolidated net cash/(debt) - Analysis of changes in consolidated net cash/(debt) (Detail) Network

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1896 Disclosure Of Financial Liabilities [Table] Table

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1897 Borrowings by name [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1898 Borrowings by name [member] Member ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1899 Borrowings (including finance leases) Excluding Overdraft [Member] Member rio:BorrowingsExcludingOverdraftMember
1900 Debt-related derivatives (included in "Other financial assets/liabilities) [member] Member rio:DebtRelatedDerivativesMember
1901 Other Investments [Member] Member rio:OverdraftOrCashMember
1902 Other Investments [Member] Member rio:OtherInvestmentMember
1903 Disclosure of financial liabilities [Abstract] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
1904 Net debt at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
1905 Foreign exchange adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationNetOfTax
1906 Cash movements excluding exchange movements, net debt Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CashMovementsExcludingExchangeMovementsOnNetFundDebt
1907 Other non-cash movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OtherNonCashMovementsOnNetDebt
1908 Net debt at ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
1909 Financial liabilities, beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AdjustedBorrowings
1910 Foreign exchange adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ForeignExchangeAdjustmentRelatedToFinancialLiabilities
1911 Cash movements excluding exchange movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CashMovementsExcludingExchangeMovementsRelatedToFinancialLiabilities
1912 Other non-cash movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:OtherMovementsOnBorrowings
1913 Financial liabilities, ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AdjustedBorrowings
1914 Cash and Overdrafts, Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CashAndOtherInvestments
1915 Foreign exchange adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndOtherInvestmentsOnCurrencyTranslationAdjustment
1916 Cash movements excluding exchange movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreaseDecreaseInCashAndOtherInvestmentsOnCashMovementsExcludingExchangeMovements
1917 Other non-cash movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OtherNonCashMovementsOnCashAndOtherInvestments
1918 Cash and Overdrafts, ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CashAndOtherInvestments
1919 101710 - Disclosure - Consolidated net cash/(debt) - Analysis of changes in consolidated net cash/(debt) (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1920 Disclosure Of Financial Liabilities [Table] Table

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1921 Borrowings by name [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameAxis
1922 Borrowings by name [member] Member ifrs-full:BorrowingsByNameMember
1923 Borrowings (including finance leases) Excluding Overdraft [Member] Member rio:BorrowingsExcludingOverdraftMember
1924 Over Draft Member rio:OverdraftMember
1925 Disclosure of financial liabilities [Abstract] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
1926 Overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:BankOverdraftsClassifiedAsCashEquivalents
1927 Total other current financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentFinancialLiabilities
1928 Other current non-financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentNonfinancialLiabilities
1929 Highly liquid financial assets held in managed investment funds classified as held for trading Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossClassifiedAsHeldForTrading
1930 101720 - Disclosure - Trade and other payables - Summary of Trade and other payables (Detail) Network

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1931 Implied Table Table

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1932 Trade And Other Payables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
1933 Non-current trade payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesToTradeSuppliers
1934 Non-current other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:OtherNoncurrentFinancialPayables
1935 Non-current other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherNoncurrentPayables
1936 Non-current deferred income Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredIncomeClassifiedAsNoncurrent
1937 Non-current accruals Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:AccrualsClassifiedAsNoncurrent
1938 Non-current employee entitlements Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
1939 Non-current royalties and mining taxes Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:NoncurrentRoyaltiesAndMiningTaxes
1940 Non-current amounts owed to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayablesToRelatedParties
1941 Non-current government grants deferred Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentGovernmentGrants
1942 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentPayables
1943 Current trade payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayablesToTradeSuppliers
1944 Current other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:OtherCurrentFinancialPayables
1945 Current other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherCurrentPayables
1946 Current deferred income Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredIncomeClassifiedAsCurrent
1947 Current accruals Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:AccrualsClassifiedAsCurrent
1948 Current employee entitlements Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
1949 Current royalties and mining taxes Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:CurrentRoyaltiesAndMiningTaxes
1950 Current amounts owed to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:AmountsPayableRelatedPartyTransactions
1951 Current government grants deferred Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentGovernmentGrants
1952 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
1953 Trade payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesToTradeSuppliers
1954 Other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:OtherFinancialPayables
1955 Other payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherPayables
1956 Deferred income Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredIncome
1957 Accruals Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Accruals
1958 Employee entitlements Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentProvisionsForEmployeeBenefits
1959 Royalties and mining taxes Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:RoyaltiesAndMiningTaxes
1960 Amounts owed to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AmountsOwedToEquityAccountedUnits
1961 Government grants deferred Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:GovernmentGrants
1962 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayables
1963 101730 - Disclosure - Trade and other payables - Summary of Trade and other payables (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1964 Implied Table Table

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1965 Trade And Other Payables [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesAbstract
1966 Contract liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ContractLiabilities
1967 101740 - Disclosure - Provisions, including post-retirement benefits - Summary of Provisions, including post-retirement benefits (Detail) Network

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1968 Disclosure Of Other Provisions [Table] Table

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1969 Classes of other provisions [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfProvisionsAxis
1970 Other provisions [member] Member ifrs-full:OtherProvisionsMember
1971 Pensions and post retirement healthcare [member] Member rio:PensionsAndPostRetirementHealthCareMember
1972 Other employee entitlements [member] Member rio:OtherEmployeeEntitlementsMember
1973 Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] Member ifrs-full:ProvisionForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationCostsMember
1974 Other [member] Member ifrs-full:MiscellaneousOtherProvisionsMember
1975 Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsLineItems
1976 Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Provisions
1977 Adjustment on currency translation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:AdjustmentOnCurrencyTranslation
1978 Adjustments to mining properties: Abstract rio:AdjustmentsToMiningPropertiesAbstract
1979 – changes in estimate Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInAccountingEstimate
1980 Charged/(credited) to profit: Abstract rio:ChargedCreditedToProfitAbstract
1981 – increases to existing and new provisions Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseInNewAndExistingProvisions
1982 – unused amounts reversed Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:UnusedProvisionReversedOtherProvisions
1983 – exchange losses/(gains) on provisions Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughNetExchangeDifferencesOtherProvisions
1984 – amortisation of discount Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseDueToUnwindingOfDiscountOnProvisions
1985 Utilised in year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProvisionUsedOtherProvisions
1986 Actuarial (gains)/losses recognised in equity Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ActuarialLossesGainsRecognisedInEquity
1987 Subsidiaries no longer consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DecreaseThroughLossOfControlOfSubsidiaryOtherProvisions
1988 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesOtherProvisions
1989 Provisions (including post-retirement benefits) at ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Provisions
1990 Balance sheet analysis: Abstract rio:BalanceSheetAnalysisAbstract
1991 Current Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentProvisions
1992 Non-current Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
1993 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Provisions
1994 101750 - Disclosure - Provisions, including post-retirement benefits - Summary of Provisions, including post-retirement benefits (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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1995 Disclosure Of Other Provisions [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsTable
1996 Classes of other provisions [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfProvisionsAxis
1997 Other provisions [member] Member ifrs-full:OtherProvisionsMember
1998 Other employee entitlements [member] Member rio:OtherEmployeeEntitlementsMember
1999 Close down and restoration/ environmental [member] Member ifrs-full:ProvisionForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationCostsMember
2000 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2001 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
2002 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2003 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2004 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2005 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2006 Between 1 and 5 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2007 After 5 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2008 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2009 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2010 Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. [Member] Member rio:DiavikDiamondMines2012IncMember
2011 Disclosure of other provisions [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOtherProvisionsLineItems
2012 Provision for long service leave Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProvisionForLongServiceLeave
2013 Provision for redundancy and severance payments Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProvisionForRedundancyAndSeverancePayments
2014 Remaining lives of operations and infrastructure present closure obligation Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:RemainingLivesOfOperationsAndInfrastructurePresentClosureObligation
2015 Remaining lives of operations and infrastructure Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:RemainingLivesOfOperationsAndInfrastructure
2016 Close-down and restoration costs and environmental clean-up obligations Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ProvisionForDecommissioningRestorationAndRehabilitationCosts
2017 Risk free interest rate on provisions Concept (Percent) For Period rio:RiskFreeInterestRateOnProvisions
2018 Provision Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Provisions
2019 Non-current provisions Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentProvisions
2020 Provisions relating to insurance recoveries and other financial assets held Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ProvisionsRelatingToInsuranceRecoveriesAndOtherFinancialAssetsHeld
2021 Adjustment to record obligations for close-down and restoration Concept (Percent) For Period rio:AdjustmentToRecordObligationsForCloseDownAndRestoration
2022 101760 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto plc - Summary of share capital (Detail) Network

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2023 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2024 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2025 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2026 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
2027 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2028 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2029 Shares held by public [member] Member rio:SharesHeldByPublicMember
2030 Special voting share [member] Member rio:SpecialVotingSharesMember
2031 DLC dividend share [member] Member rio:DualListedCompaniesDividendSharesMember
2032 Equalisation share [member] Member rio:EqualisationShareMember
2033 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2034 Issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2035 Shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReductionOfIssuedCapital
2036 Issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2037 Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2038 Number of shares held by public at beginning balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2039 Ordinary shares issued Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssued
2040 Shares reissued from treasury Concept (Shares) For Period rio:NumberOfSharesReissuedFromTreasury
2041 Shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CancellationOfTreasuryShares
2042 Shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Shares) For Period rio:SharesPurchasedAndCancelled
2043 Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2044 Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2045 Number of shares held by public at ending balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesOutstanding
2046 Other share classes Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:RightsPreferencesAndRestrictionsAttachingToClassOfShareCapital
2047 101770 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto plc - Summary of share capital (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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2048 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2049 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2050 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2051 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
2052 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
2053 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
2054 Rio Tinto Plc employee share based payment plans [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcEmployeeShareBasedPaymentPlansMember
2055 Global employee share plan [member] Member rio:GlobalEmployeeSharePlanMember
2056 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
2057 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
2058 Treasury shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:TreasurySharesMember
2059 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2060 Ordinary shares issued Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssued
2061 Shares reissued from treasury Concept (Shares) For Period rio:NumberOfSharesReissuedFromTreasury
2062 Exercise prices per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:LowRangeExercisePriceOrMarketValueOfEmployeeSharePlanAwards
2063 Market value per share Concept (Share) For Period rio:HighRangeExercisePriceOrMarketValueOfEmployeeSharePlanAwards
2064 Number of shares bought back Concept (Shares) For Period rio:SharesPurchasedAndCancelled
2065 Share capital Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2066 Treasury stock reissued Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:SaleOrIssueOfTreasuryShares
2067 101780 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto plc - Additional information (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalRioTintoPlcAdditionalInformationDetail
2068 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2069 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2070 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2071 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
2072 Classes of financial instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2073 Financial instruments, class [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2074 American depository receipts [member] Member rio:ShareOfRioTintoPlcAndAmericanDepositoryReceiptsMember
2075 American depository receipts [member] Member rio:AmericanDepositoryReceiptsMember
2076 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsAfterReportingPeriodAxis
2077 Non-adjusting events after reporting period [member] Member ifrs-full:NonadjustingEventsMember
2078 Major ordinary share transactions [member] Member ifrs-full:MajorOrdinaryShareTransactionsMember
2079 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2080 Value of shares purchased by employee share ownership trusts Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ValueOfSharesPurchasedByEmployeeShareOwnershipTrusts
2081 Shares held in the employee share ownership trusts on behalf of Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of rio:SharesInEntityHeldInEmployeeShareOwnershipTrust
2082 ADRs held by the Employee share ownership Trust (ESOT) Concept (Shares) As Of rio:AmericanDepositoryRecieptsInEntityHeldInEmployeeShareOwnershipTrust
2083 Number of shares bought back Concept (Shares) For Period rio:SharesPurchasedAndCancelled
2084 101790 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited - Summary of share capital (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalRioTintoLimitedSummaryOfShareCapitalDetail
2085 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2086 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2087 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2088 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
2089 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2090 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2091 Special voting share [member] Member rio:SpecialVotingSharesMember
2092 DLC dividend share [member] Member rio:DualListedCompaniesDividendSharesMember
2093 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2094 Issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2095 Adjustment on currency translation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:NetForeignExchangeLoss
2096 Ordinary shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReductionOfIssuedCapital
2097 Issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IssuedCapital
2098 Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at beginning balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2099 Ordinary shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Shares) For Period rio:SharesPurchasedAndCancelled
2100 Number of issued and fully paid up share capital at ending balance Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfSharesIssuedAndFullyPaid
2101 Other share classes Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:RightsPreferencesAndRestrictionsAttachingToClassOfShareCapital
2102 101800 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited - Summary of share capital (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalRioTintoLimitedSummaryOfShareCapitalParentheticalDetail
2103 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2104 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2105 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
2106 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2107 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2108 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2109 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2110 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
2111 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2112 Ordinary shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Shares) For Period rio:SharesPurchasedAndCancelled
2113 Price per purchased share Concept (Share) For Period rio:PurchasedSharePricePerShare
2114 Number of shares bought back Concept (Shares) For Period rio:NumberOfSharesApprovedForBuyBack
2115 101810 - Disclosure - Share capital - Rio Tinto Limited - Additional Information (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareCapitalRioTintoLimitedAdditionalInformationDetail
2116 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalTable
2117 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
2118 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
2119 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
2120 Disclosure Of Classes Of Share Capital [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfClassesOfShareCapitalLineItems
2121 Value of shares purchased by employee share ownership trusts Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ValueOfSharesPurchasedByEmployeeShareOwnershipTrusts
2122 Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2123 101820 - Disclosure - Other reserves and retained earnings - Summary of other reserves and retained earnings (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsSummaryOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsDetail
2124 Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Table] Table

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*

 rio:OtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsTable
2125 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
2126 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
2127 Capital redemption reserve [Member] Member ifrs-full:CapitalRedemptionReserveMember
2128 Cash flow hedge reserve [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfCashFlowHedgesMember
2129 Available for sale revaluation reserves [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsMember
2130 Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income reserve [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember
2131 Cost of Hedging Reserve [Member] Member rio:CostsOfHedgingReserveMember
2132 Other reserves [member] Member ifrs-full:MiscellaneousOtherReservesMember
2133 Foreign currency translation reserve [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationMember
2134 Retained earnings [Member] Member ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
2135 Disclosure Of Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsLineItems
2136 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CapitalRedemptionReserve
2137 Own shares purchased and cancelled Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CancellationOfTreasuryShares
2138 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CapitalRedemptionReserve
2139 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfCashFlowHedges
2140 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards (note 45) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandardsCashFlowHedgeReserve
2141 Cash flow hedge gains/(losses) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTax
2142 Cash flow hedge losses/(gains) transferred to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnCashFlowHedgesNetOfTax
2143 Tax on the above Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToHedgesOfInvestmentsInEquityInstrumentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
2144 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesCashFlowHedgeReserve
2145 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfCashFlowHedges
2146 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
2147 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards (note 45) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandardsAvailableForSaleRevaluationReserves
2148 Gains on available for sale securities Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsNetOfTax
2149 Losses on available for sale securities transferred to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsNetOfTax
2150 Tax on the above Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
2151 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesAvailableForSaleRevaluationReserves
2152 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssets
2153 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
2154 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards (note 45) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandardsFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeReserve
2155 Losses on equity investments Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnLossesOnEquityInvestmentsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
2156 Transfers to retained earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeReserve
2157 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnFinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncome
2158 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CostOfHedgingReserve
2159 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards (note 45) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandardsCostOfHedgingReserve
2160 Cost of hedging deferred to reserves during the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CostOfHedgingDeferredToReservesDuringTheYear
2161 Transfer of cost of hedging to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesCostOfHedgingReserve
2162 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CostOfHedgingReserve
2163 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
2164 Change in equity interest held by Rio Tinto Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransactionsWithOwners
2165 Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto Limited shareholders to satisfy share options Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesEquity
2166 Own shares purchased from Rio Tinto shareholders to satisfy share options Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughExerciseOfOptions
2167 Deferred tax on share options Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:DeferredTaxOnShareOptions
2168 Companies no longer consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CompaniesNoLongerConsolidated
2169 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
2170 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
2171 Parent and subsidiaries currency translation and exchange adjustments Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationNetOfTax
2172 Equity accounted units currency translation adjustments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesFromInvestmentsInEquityInstruments
2173 Currency translation reclassified on disposal Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReclassificationAdjustmentsOnChangeInValueOfForeignCurrencyBasisSpreadsNetOfTax
2174 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesForeignCurrencyTranslationReserve
2175 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfExchangeDifferencesOnTranslation
2176 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
2177 Adjustment for transition to new accounting standards (note 45) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentForTransitionToNewAccountingStandardsRetainedEarnings
2178 Parent and subsidiaries' profit for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ParentCompaniesAndSubsidiariesProfitOrLoss
2179 Equity accounted units' profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:AdjustmentsForUndistributedProfitsOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
2180 Actuarial gains/(losses) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ActuarialLossesGains
2181 Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:IncomeTaxRelatingToComponentsOfOtherComprehensiveIncome
2182 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CumulativeGainLossPreviouslyRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeArisingFromReclassificationOfFinancialAssetsOutOfFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeIntoFairValueThroughProfitOrLossMeasurementCategory
2183 Share buy-back programme Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfTreasuryShares
2184 Dividends Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsPaid
2185 Companies no longer consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CompaniesNoLongerConsolidatedRetainedEarnings
2186 Employee share options and other IFRS 2 charges to the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughSharebasedPaymentTransactions
2187 Transfer from FVOCI reserve Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeReserveRetainedEarnings
2188 Transfers and other movements Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersAndOtherChangesRetainedEarnings
2189 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
2190 101830 - Disclosure - Other reserves and retained earnings - Summary of other reserves and retained earnings (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsSummaryOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsParentheticalDetail
2191 Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Table] Table

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*

 rio:OtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsTable
2192 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
2193 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
2194 Share premium [Member] Member ifrs-full:SharePremiumMember
2195 Merger reserve [Member] Member ifrs-full:MergerReserveMember
2196 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2197 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2198 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
2199 Disclosure Of Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsLineItems
2200 Share premium account Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:SharePremium
2201 Other reserve, share premium Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
2202 Actuarial losses to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInFinancialAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
2203 101840 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of financial assets by categories (Detail) Network

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2204 Disclosure Of Financial Assets [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsTable
2205 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
2206 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
2207 IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationMember
2208 IAS 39 [Member] Member rio:InternationalAccountingStandards39Member
2209 Categories of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2210 Financial assets, category [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
2211 Amortised Cost [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCostCategoryMember
2212 Fair value through other comprehensive income [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMeasuredAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeCategoryMember
2213 Fair value through profit and loss [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossMandatorilyMeasuredAtFairValueCategoryMember
2214 Loans and receivables [member] Member ifrs-full:LoansAndReceivablesCategoryMember
2215 Available for sale securities [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAvailableforsaleCategoryMember
2216 Held at fair value [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossCategoryMember
2217 Held to maturity assets [member] Member ifrs-full:HeldtomaturityInvestmentsCategoryMember
2218 Disclosure of financial assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsLineItems
2219 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
2220 Trade and other financial receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:TradeAndOtherFinancialReceivables
2221 Equity shares and quoted funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:EquitySharesAndQuotedFunds
2222 Other investments, including loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherInvestmentsIncludingLoans
2223 Derivatives related to net debt: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DerivativesRelatedToNetDebtDesignatedAsHedges
2224 Derivatives and embedded derivatives not related to net debt: not designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DerivativesAndEmbeddedDerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtNotDesignatedAsHedge
2225 Embedded derivatives not related to net debt: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:EmbeddedDerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtDesignatedAsHedges
2226 Currency and commodity derivatives: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:HedgedItemAssets
2227 Loans to equity accounted units including quasi equity loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:LoansToEquityAccountedUnitsIncludingQuasiEquityLoans
2228 Total financial assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
2229 101850 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of financial liabilities by categories (Detail) Network

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2230 Disclosure Of Financial Liabilities [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesTable
2231 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
2232 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
2233 IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationMember
2234 IAS 39 [Member] Member rio:InternationalAccountingStandards39Member
2235 Categories of financial liabilities [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis
2236 Financial liabilities, category [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesCategoryMember
2237 Amortised Cost [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtAmortisedCostCategoryMember
2238 Fair value through profit loss [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossDesignatedUponInitialRecognitionCategoryMember
2239 Held at fair value [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossCategoryMember
2240 Other financial liability held to maturity [Member] Member rio:OtherFinancialLiabilityHeldToMaturityMember
2241 Disclosure of financial liabilities [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
2242 Trade and other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TradeAndOtherFinancialPayables
2243 Short-term borrowings and bank overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
2244 Medium-term and long-term borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
2245 Derivatives related to net debt: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesRelatedToNetDebt
2246 Derivatives and embedded derivatives not related to net debt: not designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativesAndEmbeddedDerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtNotDesignatedAsHedges
2247 Embedded derivatives not related to net debt: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:EmbeddedDerivativeLiabilitiesNotRelatedToNetDebtDesignatedAsHedges
2248 Other derivatives and embedded derivatives: not designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:OtherDerivativesAndEmbeddedDerivativesLiabilitiesNotDesignatedAsHedges
2249 Other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherFinancialLiabilities
2250 Total financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:FinancialLiabilities
2251 101860 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of financial assets by categories (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfFinancialAssetsByCategoriesParentheticalDetail
2252 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2253 Disclosure Of Financial Assets [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialAssetsAbstract
2254 Highly liquid financial assets held in managed investment funds classified as held for trading Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossClassifiedAsHeldForTrading
2255 101870 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementAdditionalInformationDetail
2256 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2257 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
2258 Description of exposure to risk Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfExposureToRisk
2259 Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:TransfersOutOfLevel1IntoLevel2OfFairValueHierarchyAssets
2260 Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:TransfersIntoLevel3OfFairValueHierarchyAssets
2261 101880 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Capital and liquidity risk management - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementCapitalAndLiquidityRiskManagementAdditionalInformationDetail
2262 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2263 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2264 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
2265 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2266 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2267 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2268 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2269 Capital and liquidity risk management [member] Member rio:CapitalAndLiquidityRiskManagementMember
2270 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2271 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2272 November Two Thousand And Twenty One Member rio:NovemberTwoThousandAndTwentyOneMember
2273 November Two Thousand And Twenty Two Member rio:NovemberTwoThousandAndTwentyTwoMember
2274 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2275 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2276 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUsaPlcAndRioTintoFinanceUsaLimitedMember
2277 Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis] Axis ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2278 All levels of fair value hierarchy [member] Member ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2279 Level 1 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2280 Level 3 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2281 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2282 Percentage of underlying earnings Concept (Percent) As Of rio:PercentageOfUnderlyingEarningsRelatedToDividendPolicy
2283 Net debt Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
2284 Net cash Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
2285 Net debt to total capital percentage Concept (Percent) For Period rio:NetDebtToCapitalPercentage
2286 Description of interest coverage on debt Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:DescriptionOfInterestCoverTimes
2287 Revolving credit facilities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RevolvingCreditFacilities
2288 Revolving credit facilities period Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:RevolvingCreditFacilitiesExtensionOptionsTerm
2289 Borrowing maturity Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:BorrowingsMaturity
2290 Description of rating agencies used Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfRatingAgenciesUsed
2291 Buy-back of bonds Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RedemptionOfBonds
2292 Aggregate cash outflow before fees Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:RepaymentsOfBondsNotesAndDebentures
2293 Borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
2294 Borrowings at fair value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:BorrowingsAtFairValue
2295 Percentage of increase in copper price Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfIncreaseInCopperPrice
2296 Period of London metal exchange curve Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:PeriodOfLondonMetalExchangeCurve
2297 Decrease in carrying value of forward contract due to long-term metal pricing assumptions Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:DecreaseInCarryingValueOfForwardContractDueToLongTermMetalPricingAssumptions
2298 Increase in carrying value of forward contract due to long-term metal pricing assumptions Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:IncreaseInCarryingValueOfForwardContractDueToLongTermMetalPricingAssumptions
2299 Percentage of change in coal spot price Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfChangeInCoalSpotPrice
2300 Increase in carrying value of forward contract due to coal spot price assumptions Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseInCarryingValueOfForwardContractDueToCoalSpotPriceAssumptions
2301 Percentage of change in spot price Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfChangeInSpotPrice
2302 Decrease in carrying value of forward contract due to decrease in spot price Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DecreaseInCarryingValueOfForwardContractDueToDecreaseInSpotPrice
2303 101890 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of capital and liquidity risk management (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfCapitalAndLiquidityRiskManagementDetail
2304 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Hedging Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgingInstrumentsTable
2305 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2306 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2307 Capital and liquidity risk management [member] Member rio:CapitalAndLiquidityRiskManagementMember
2308 Disclosure of detailed information about hedging instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgingInstrumentsLineItems
2309 Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (see Group balance sheet) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2310 Equity attributable to non-controlling interests (see Group balance sheet) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
2311 Net debt Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
2312 Total capital Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAndLiabilities
2313 101900 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of credit ratings (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfCreditRatingsDetail
2314 Disclosure Of External Credit Exposures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExternalCreditExposuresTable
2315 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2316 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2317 Capital and liquidity risk management [member] Member rio:CapitalAndLiquidityRiskManagementMember
2318 External credit grades [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ExternalCreditGradesAxis
2319 Entity's total for external credit grades [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForExternalCreditGradesMember
2320 Long term rating [member] Member rio:LongTermRatingMember
2321 Short term rating [member] Member rio:ShortTermRatingMember
2322 Outlook [member] Member rio:OutlookMember
2323 Disclosure of external credit grades [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfExternalCreditExposuresLineItems
2324 Credit ratings Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfOtherInformationUsedToAssessCreditQuality
2325 101910 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities and derivative financial liabilities (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementMaturityAnalysisForNonDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesAndDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesDetail
2326 Disclosure Of Maturity Analysis For Derivative Financial Liabilities [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesTable
2327 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2328 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2329 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2330 Between 1 and 2 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2331 Between 2 and 3 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2332 Between 3 and 4 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
2333 Between 4 and 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2334 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2335 Disclosure Of Maturity Analysis For Derivative Financial Liabilities [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfMaturityAnalysisForDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesLineItems
2336 Trade and other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesUndiscountedCashFlows
2337 Borrowings before swaps Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:BorrowingsBeforeSwapsUndiscountedCashFlows
2338 Expected future interest payments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ExpectedFutureInterestPaymentsUndiscountedCashFlows
2339 Other financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:OtherFinancialLiabilitiesUndiscountedCashFlows
2340 Derivatives related to net debt - net settled Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesUndiscountedCashFlows
2341 – gross inflows Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DerivativesRelatedToNetDebtGrossInflowsUndiscountedCashFlows
2342 – gross outflows Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativesRelatedToNetDebtGrossOutflowsUndiscountedCashFlows
2343 Derivatives not related to net debt - net settled Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtUndiscountedCashFlows
2344 – gross inflows Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:DerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtGrossInflowsUndiscountedCashFlows
2345 – gross outflows Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativesNotRelatedToNetDebtGrossOutflowsUndiscountedCashFlows
2346 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:NonderivativeAndDerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesUndiscountedCashFlows
2347 101920 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Commodity price risk - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementCommodityPriceRiskAdditionalInformationDetail
2348 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2349 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2350 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2351 Commodity price risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:CommodityPriceRiskMember
2352 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
2353 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
2354 Copper [member] Member rio:CopperMember
2355 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2356 Quantity of unsettled copper sales Concept (num:massItemType) For Period rio:DerivativeCommodity
2357 Provisionally priced unsettled copper sales per pound Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:ProvisionallyPricedUnsettledSalesPricePerPound
2358 Increase (Decrease) in net earnings due to price change Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseOrReduceNetEarningsDueToPriceChange
2359 Description of hedging strategy Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfHedgingInstrumentsUsedToHedgeRiskExposuresAndHowTheyAreUsed
2360 101930 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of notional aluminium forward sales contracts embedded in power contracts (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfNotionalAluminiumForwardSalesContractsEmbeddedInPowerContractsDetail
2361 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2362 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2363 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2364 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2365 Between 1 and 5 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2366 Between 5 and 10 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsAndNotLaterThanTenYearsMember
2367 After 10 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanTenYearsMember
2368 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2369 Notional amount (in tonnes) Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NominalAmountOfHedgingInstrument
2370 Notional amount Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
2371 Average hedged rate (in US$ per tonne) Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:AveragePriceOfHedgingInstrument
2372 101940 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of impact of hedging instrument on statement of financial position (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfImpactOfHedgingInstrumentOnStatementOfFinancialPositionDetail
2373 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2374 Hedging instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsAxis
2375 Hedging instruments [member] Member ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsMember
2376 Aluminium embedded derivatives separated from the power contract [Member] Member rio:AluminiumForwardContractsEmbeddedInElectricityPurchaseContractsMember
2377 Highly Probable Forecast Aluminum Sales Member rio:HighlyProbableForecastAluminumSalesMember
2378 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2379 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2380 Othe financial assets [Member] Member rio:OtherFinancialAssetsMember
2381 Other financial liability [Member] Member rio:OtherFinancialLiabilityMember
2382 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2383 Notional amount Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
2384 Carrying value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:CarryingValueOfHedgingInstrument
2385 Line item in the statement of financial position Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:HedgingInstrumentIncludedInStatementOfFinancialPosition
2386 Change in fair value used for measuring ineffectiveness for the period Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnHedgingInstrument
2387 Change in fair value used for measuring ineffectiveness for the period Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainLossOnChangeInFairValueOfHedgedItemUsedAsBasisForRecognisingHedgeIneffectiveness
2388 Cash flow hedge reserve US$m Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ReserveOfCashFlowHedgesContinuingHedges
2389 101950 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of effect of the cash flow hedge in statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income (OCI) (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfEffectOfCashFlowHedgeInStatementOfProfitOrLossAndOtherComprehensiveIncomeOCIDetail
2390 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

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2391 Types of hedges [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesAxis
2392 Hedges [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfHedgesMember
2393 Cash flow hedge reserve [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfCashFlowHedgesMember
2394 Hedging instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsAxis
2395 Hedging instruments [member] Member ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsMember
2396 Highly Probable Forecast Aluminum Sales Member rio:HighlyProbableForecastAluminumSalesMember
2397 Measurement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
2398 Aggregated measurement [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
2399 Net operating costs [Member] Member rio:OperatingCostsMember
2400 Consolidated sales revenue [Member] Member rio:SalesRevenueMember
2401 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2402 Total hedging gain recognised in OCI US$m Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainLossOnHedgeIneffectivenessRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncome
2403 Ineffectiveness recognised in profit or loss US$m Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainLossOnHedgeIneffectivenessRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
2404 Line item in the statement of profit or loss Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:HedgingInstrumentAffectingStatementOfProfitOrLoss
2405 Amount reclassified from OCI to profit or loss US$m Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:AmountReclassifiedToOtherComprehensiveIncomeFromProfitOrLossApplyingOverlayApproachNetOfTax
2406 101960 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of changes in market price relevant to alumina purchase price swaps outstanding (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfChangesInMarketPriceRelevantToAluminaPurchasePriceSwapsOutstandingDetail
2407 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2408 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2409 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2410 Effect on net earnings [Member] Member rio:EffectOnNetEarningsMember
2411 Effect on equity [Member] Member rio:EffectOfEquityMember
2412 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2413 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2414 Commodity price risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:CommodityPriceRiskMember
2415 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
2416 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
2417 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
2418 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2419 Percentage increase in market price change Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfIncreaseInMarketPriceOnCommodityDerivatives
2420 Percentage decrease in market price change Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfDecreaseInMarketPriceOnCommodityDerivatives
2421 Decrease in market price change of commodities Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:DecreaseInMarketPriceChangeOfCommodities
2422 Increase in market price change of commodities Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IncreaseInMarketPriceChangeOfCommodities
2423 101970 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Credit risk - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementCreditRiskAdditionalInformationDetail
2424 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2425 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2426 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2427 Credit risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:CreditRiskMember
2428 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2429 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
2430 More than US dollar 5 million [member] Member rio:MoreThanUsDollarFiveMillionMember
2431 Greater than US dollar 20 million [member] Member rio:GreaterThanUsDollarTwentyMillionMember
2432 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2433 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2434 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2435 Number of customers Concept (Integer) For Period rio:NumberOfCustomers
2436 Per cent of trade receivables Concept (Percent) As Of rio:PercentageOfReceivable
2437 Description of customers receivable owing Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfJudgementsAndChangesInJudgementsThatSignificantlyAffectDeterminationOfAmountAndTimingOfRevenueFromContractsWithCustomers
2438 101980 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of maximum credit risk exposure of the Group's financial assets (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfMaximumCreditRiskExposureOfGroupSFinancialAssetsDetail
2439 Disclosure Of Credit Risk Exposure [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCreditRiskExposureTable
2440 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2441 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2442 Credit risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:CreditRiskMember
2443 Measurement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
2444 Aggregated measurement [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
2445 Fair value [member] Member ifrs-full:AtFairValueMember
2446 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2447 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2448 Loans And Receivables [Member] Member rio:LoansAndReceivablesMember
2449 Categories of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2450 Financial assets, category [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsCategoryMember
2451 Held to maturity assets [member] Member ifrs-full:HeldtomaturityInvestmentsCategoryMember
2452 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2453 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2454 Cash and cash equivalents [member] Member rio:CashCashAndCashEquivalentsMember
2455 Trade and other financial receivables [member] Member rio:TradeAndOtherFinancialReceivablesMember
2456 Investments [member] Member rio:InvestmentMember
2457 Derivative assets [member] Member ifrs-full:DerivativesMember
2458 Loans to equity accounted units [member] Member rio:LoansToEquityAccountedUnitsMember
2459 Disclosure Of Credit Risk Exposure [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfCreditRiskExposureLineItems
2460 Maximum credit risk exposure Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:MaximumExposureToCreditRisk
2461 101990 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary by currency, Group's net debt, after taking into account relevant cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts (Detail) Network

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2462 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

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2463 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2464 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2465 Foreign exchange risk [member] Member ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
2466 Currencies Axis rio:CurrenciesAxis
2467 Currencies Member Member rio:CurrenciesMember
2468 US Dollars [Member] Member currency:USD
2469 Australian dollar [Member] Member currency:AUD
2470 Euro [Member] Member currency:EUR
2471 South African rand [Member] Member currency:ZAR
2472 Canadian dollar [Member] Member currency:CAD
2473 Other currencies [member] Member rio:OtherCurrencyMember
2474 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2475 Total borrowings excluding overdrafts Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
2476 Derivatives related to net debt: designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesRelatedToNetDebt
2477 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
2478 Other investments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherInvestments1
2479 Net cash/(debt) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
2480 102000 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Foreign exchange risk - Additional information (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementForeignExchangeRiskAdditionalInformationDetail
2481 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2482 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2483 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2484 Foreign exchange risk [member] Member ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
2485 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2486 Description of hedging strategy Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfHedgingInstrumentsUsedToHedgeRiskExposuresAndHowTheyAreUsed
2487 Description of sensitivity analysis Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:MethodsAndAssumptionsUsedInPreparingSensitivityAnalysis
2488 Percentage of change in annual foreign exchange rate Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfChangeInAnnualForeignExchangeRate
2489 102010 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Gains or Losses Associated with Ten Percent Strengthening of US Dollar (Detail) Network

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2490 Disclosure Of Detailed Information About Hedging Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

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2491 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2492 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2493 Foreign exchange risk [member] Member ifrs-full:CurrencyRiskMember
2494 Currencies Axis rio:CurrenciesAxis
2495 Currencies Member Member rio:CurrenciesMember
2496 Australian dollar [Member] Member currency:AUD
2497 Canadian dollar [Member] Member currency:CAD
2498 Euro Member Countries, Euro Member currency:EUR
2499 Disclosure of detailed information about hedging instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDetailedInformationAboutHedgingInstrumentsLineItems
2500 Closing exchange rate Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:ClosingForeignExchangeRate
2501 Effect on net earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsLossesOnExchangeDifferencesOnTranslationRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
2502 Amount impacting underlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ForeignExchangeGainLossAmountImpactingUnderlyingEarnings
2503 Foreign Exchange Gain Loss Amount Impact Directly On Equity Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ForeignExchangeGainLossAmountImpactDirectlyOnEquity
2504 102020 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Interest rate risk - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementInterestRateRiskAdditionalInformationDetail
2505 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2506 Types of risks [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksAxis
2507 Risks [member] Member ifrs-full:TypesOfRisksMember
2508 Interest rate risk [Member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateRiskMember
2509 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2510 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2511 Interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
2512 Types of interest rates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfInterestRatesAxis
2513 Interest rate types [member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateTypesMember
2514 Floating interest rate [Member] Member ifrs-full:FloatingInterestRateMember
2515 Fixed interest rate [Member] Member ifrs-full:FixedInterestRateMember
2516 LIBOR [member] Member rio:LondonInterbankOfferedRateMember
2517 Currencies Axis rio:CurrenciesAxis
2518 Currencies Member Member rio:CurrenciesMember
2519 United Kingdom, Pounds Member currency:GBP
2520 US Dollars [Member] Member currency:USD
2521 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2522 Description of hedging strategy Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfHedgingInstrumentsUsedToHedgeRiskExposuresAndHowTheyAreUsed
2523 Notional amount Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:NotionalAmount
2524 Inflows of cash from liability management programme Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:OutflowsOfCashFromLiabilityManagementProgramme
2525 Accrued interest Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestIncomeOnImpairedFinancialAssetsAccrued
2526 Adjusted total borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AdjustedTotalBorrowings
2527 Adjusted borrowings, interest rate Concept (Percent) As Of rio:AdjustedBorrowingsInterestRate
2528 Weighted average maturity period Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:WeightedAverageMaturityPeriod
2529 Borrowings, interest rate basis Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:BorrowingsAdjustmentToInterestRateBasis
2530 Borrowing cost recognised Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ImpactToIncomeStatementBeforeTaxDueToHundredBasisPointIncreaseInUSDollarLIBOR
2531 Description of borrowings, interest rate basis Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:ImpactOf100BasisPointChange
2532 Increase in financial derivative charges on interest rate before tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ImpactToEquityBeforeTaxDueToHundredBasisPointIncreaseInInterestRates
2533 102030 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of derivative financial instruments (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetail
2534 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2535 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2536 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2537 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2538 Between 1 and 5 years [Member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2539 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2540 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2541 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2542 Interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:InterestRateSwapContractMember
2543 Cross currency interest rate swaps [member] Member ifrs-full:CurrencySwapContractMember
2544 Aluminium Embedded Derivatives Member rio:AluminiumEmbeddedDerivativesMember
2545 Currency Forward Contracts Options And Swaps Member rio:CurrencyForwardContractsOptionsAndSwapsMember
2546 Aluminium forward contracts [member] Member rio:AluminiumForwardContractsMember
2547 Other embedded derivatives [member] Member rio:OtherEmbeddedDerivativesOneMember
2548 Other commodity contracts [member] Member rio:OtherCommodityContractsMember
2549 Hedging instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsAxis
2550 Hedging instruments [member] Member ifrs-full:HedgingInstrumentsMember
2551 Derivatives designated as hedges [member] Member rio:DerivativesDesignatedAsHedgesMember
2552 Derivatives not designated as hedges [member] Member rio:DerivativesNotDesignatedAsHedgesMember
2553 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2554 Total net derivative instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NetDerivativeInstruments
2555 Derivative financial assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialAssets
2556 Derivative financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2557 Non-current derivative financial instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
2558 Current derivative financial instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
2559 Current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2560 Non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
2561 Total net derivative instruments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:NetDerivativeInstrumentsReconciledToBalanceSheet
2562 102040 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of fair value of financial instruments (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetail
2563 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2564 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsAbstract
2565 Short term borrowings, carrying value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:ShorttermBorrowings
2566 Medium and long term borrowings, carrying value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LongtermBorrowings
2567 Short term borrowings, fair value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ShorttermBorrowingsAtFairValue
2568 Medium and long term borrowings, fair value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:LongtermBorrowingsAtFairValue
2569 102050 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of financial instruments carried at fair value (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueDetail
2570 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2571 Measurement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MeasurementAxis
2572 Aggregated measurement [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedMeasurementMember
2573 Fair value [member] Member ifrs-full:AtFairValueMember
2574 Not held at fair value [member] Member rio:NotHeldAtFairValueMember
2575 Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis] Axis ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2576 All levels of fair value hierarchy [member] Member ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2577 Level 1 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level1OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2578 Level 2 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level2OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2579 Level 3 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2580 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2581 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
2582 Investments in equity shares and funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:InvestmentsInEquitySharesAndFunds
2583 Equity shares and quoted funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:EquitySharesAndQuotedFunds
2584 Other investments, including loans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherInvestmentsIncludingLoans
2585 Trade and other financial receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:TradeAndOtherFinancialReceivables
2586 Financial assets (excluding derivative assets) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialAssetsNetExcludingDerivativeAssets
2587 Forward contracts and option contracts: designated as hedges(f) (Section B) Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:FinancialInstrumentsDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAtFairValue
2588 Forward contracts and option contracts, not designated as hedges Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAtFairValue
2589 Derivatives related to net debt Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DerivativeFinancialLiabilitiesRelatedToNetDebtAtFairValue
2590 Trade and other financial payables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TradeAndOtherFinancialPayables
2591 Total Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet
2592 102060 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of financial instruments carried at fair value (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfFinancialInstrumentsCarriedAtFairValueParentheticalDetail
2593 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2594 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
2595 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
2596 Aluminium embedded derivatives separated from the power contract [Member] Member rio:AluminiumForwardContractsEmbeddedInElectricityPurchaseContractsMember
2597 Aluminium forward contracts [member] Member rio:AluminiumForwardContractsMember
2598 Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis] Axis ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2599 All levels of fair value hierarchy [member] Member ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2600 Level 3 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2601 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
2602 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
2603 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
2604 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
2605 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2606 Provisionally priced receivables recognised relating to sales contracts Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ProvisionallyPricedReceivables
2607 Long-term embedded derivatives expiry term Concept (Text/String) For Period rio:LongtermEmbeddedDerivativesExpiryTerm
2608 Long-term embedded derivatives with fair value Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:LongtermEmbeddedDerivativesAtFairValue
2609 Range of market price Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:InformationAboutMarketForFinancialInstruments
2610 Fair value of derivative commodity price per metric tonne Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:FairValueOfDerivativeCommodityPricePerMetricTonne
2611 102070 - Disclosure - Financial instruments and risk management - Summary of changes in fair value of Level 3 financial assets and financial liabilities (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsAndRiskManagementSummaryOfChangesInFairValueOfLevel3FinancialAssetsAndFinancialLiabilitiesDetail
2612 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
2613 Levels of fair value hierarchy [axis] Axis ifrs-full:LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis
2614 All levels of fair value hierarchy [member] Member ifrs-full:AllLevelsOfFairValueHierarchyMember
2615 Level 3 [member] Member ifrs-full:Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
2616 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
2617 Opening balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialAssetsAndFinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValue
2618 Adjustment from transition to IFRS 9 Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentFromTransition
2619 Currency translation adjustments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CurrencyTranslationAdjustments
2620 – consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RealisedGainsLossesIncludedInConsolidatedSalesRevenue
2621 – net operating costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:RealisedGainsLossesIncludedInNetOperatingCosts
2622 - consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnrealisedGainsIncludedInConsolidatedSalesRevenue
2623 – net operating costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnrealisedGainsIncludedInNeOperatingCosts
2624 Total unrealised gains transferred into other comprehensive income through cash flow hedges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnrealisedGainOrLossTransferredIntoOtherComprehensiveIncome
2625 Additions Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PurchasesFairValueMeasurementAssets
2626 Disposals/maturity of financial instruments Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:DisposalOrMaturityOfFinancialInstruments
2627 Transfers Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughTransfersFinancialAssets
2628 Closing balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialAssetsAndFinancialLiabilitiesAtFairValue
2629 Total gains/(losses) for the year included in the income statement for assets and liabilities held at year end Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesRecognisedInProfitOrLossForAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeld
2630 102080 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Summary of capital commitments (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsSummaryOfCapitalCommitmentsDetail
2631 Disclosure Of Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesTable
2632 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2633 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2634 Joint ventures [Member] Member ifrs-full:JointVenturesMember
2635 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2636 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2637 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2638 Between 1 and 3 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2639 Between 3 and 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2640 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2641 Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
2642 Capital Commitments Abstract ifrs-full:CapitalCommitmentsAbstract
2643 Capital Commitments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CapitalCommitments
2644 102090 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsAdditionalInformationDetail
2645 Disclosure Of Commitments And Contingencies [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesTable
2646 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2647 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2648 Minera Escondida Limitada [member] Member rio:MineraEscondidaLimitadaMember
2649 Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Limited and Rio Tinto Finance (USA) plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoFinanceUsaLimitedAndRioTintoFinanceUsaPlcMember
2650 Counterparties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CounterpartiesAxis
2651 Counterparties [member] Member ifrs-full:CounterpartiesMember
2652 United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [Member] Member rio:UnitedKingdomsFinancialConductAuthorityMember
2653 Classes of contingent liabilities [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfContingentLiabilitiesAxis
2654 Contingent liabilities [member] Member ifrs-full:ContingentLiabilitiesMember
2655 Contingent liabilities related to joint ventures [Member] Member ifrs-full:ContingentLiabilitiesOfJointVentureMember
2656 Classes of financial instruments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsAxis
2657 Financial instruments, class [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialInstrumentsMember
2658 Financial guarantee contracts [Member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialGuaranteeContractsMember
2659 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2660 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2661 Bonds [member] Member rio:BondMember
2662 Bonds [member] Member ifrs-full:DebtSecuritiesMember
2663 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2664 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2665 Oyu Tolgoi LLC [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLlcMember
2666 Erdenes Oyu Tolgoi LLC [member] Member rio:ErdenesOyuTolgoiLlcMember
2667 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdMember
2668 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2669 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2670 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd (including Oyu Tolgoi LLC) [member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdIncludingOyuTolgoiLlcMember
2671 Disclosure of commitments and contingencies [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfCommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems
2672 Contractual capital commitments Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:EnforceableContractualCapitalCommitments
2673 Minera Escondida Limitada undrawn shareholder line of credit Rio Tinto share Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:UndrawnBorrowingFacilities
2674 Financial penalty Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:FinancialPenaltyPayment
2675 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
2676 Amounts guaranteed by parent companies Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AmountsGuaranteedByParentCompanies
2677 Borrowings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:Borrowings
2678 Percentage of ownership interest exchanged in joint venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2679 Company of operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfJointVenture
2680 Company of operation, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfSubsidiary
2681 102100 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Summary of aggregate amount of minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsSummaryOfAggregateAmountOfMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderNonCancellableOperatingLeasesDetail
2682 Disclosure Of Finance Lease And Operating Lease By Lessee [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseByLesseeTable
2683 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2684 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2685 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2686 Between 1 and 3 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2687 Between 3 and 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2688 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2689 Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinanceLeaseAndOperatingLeaseByLesseeLineItems
2690 Aggregate amount of minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:MinimumLeasePaymentsPayableUnderNoncancellableOperatingLease
2691 102110 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Summary of aggregate amount of future payment commitments under purchase obligations outstanding (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsSummaryOfAggregateAmountOfFuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsOutstandingDetail
2692 Disclosure Of Future Payment Commitments Under Purchase Obligations [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfFuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsTable
2693 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
2694 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
2695 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
2696 Between 1 and 2 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanOneYearAndNotLaterThanTwoYearsMember
2697 Between 2 and 3 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanTwoYearsAndNotLaterThanThreeYearsMember
2698 Between 3 and 4 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanThreeYearsAndNotLaterThanFourYearsMember
2699 Between 4 and 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFourYearsAndNotLaterThanFiveYearsMember
2700 More than 5 years [member] Member ifrs-full:LaterThanFiveYearsMember
2701 Disclosure of future payment commitments under purchase obligations [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfFuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsLineItems
2702 Aggregate amount of future payment commitments under purchase obligations outstanding Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:FuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligations
2703 102120 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Summary of aggregate amount of future payment commitments under purchase obligations outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsSummaryOfAggregateAmountOfFuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsOutstandingParentheticalDetail
2704 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2705 Future Payment Commitments Under Purchase Obligations [Abstract] Abstract rio:FuturePaymentCommitmentsUnderPurchaseObligationsAbstract
2706 Reduction In Future Payment Commitments Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ReductionInFuturePaymentCommitments
2707 102130 - Disclosure - Contingencies and commitments - Summary of subsidiaries and joint operations contingent liabilities (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureContingenciesAndCommitmentsSummaryOfSubsidiariesAndJointOperationsContingentLiabilitiesDetail
2708 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2709 Disclosure Of Contingent Liabilities [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfContingentLiabilitiesAbstract
2710 Indemnities and other performance guarantees Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:EstimatedFinancialEffectOfContingentLiabilities
2711 102140 - Disclosure - Average number of employees - Summary of average number of employees (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAverageNumberOfEmployeesSummaryOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesDetail
2712 Disclosure Of Average Number Of Employees [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesTable
2713 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2714 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2715 Subsidiaries And Joint Operations [Member] Member rio:SubsidiariesAndJointOperationsMember
2716 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2717 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2718 Australia and New Zealand [member] Member rio:AustraliaAndNewZealandMember
2719 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
2720 United Kingdom [Member] Member country:GB
2721 Europe [member] Member us-gaap:EuropeMember
2722 Africa [Member] Member us-gaap:AfricaMember
2723 United States [Member] Member country:US
2724 Mongolia [Member] Member country:MN
2725 Indonesia [member] Member country:ID
2726 South America [Member] Member us-gaap:SouthAmericaMember
2727 Other countries [Member] Member rio:OtherCountriesMember
2728 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2729 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2730 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
2731 Disclosure of average number of employees [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesLineItems
2732 Average number of employees Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:AverageNumberOfEmployees
2733 102150 - Disclosure - Average number of employees - Summary of average number of employees (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAverageNumberOfEmployeesSummaryOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesParentheticalDetail
2734 Disclosure Of Average Number Of Employees [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesTable
2735 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
2736 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
2737 Singapore [member] Member country:SG
2738 India [member] Member country:IN
2739 Disclosure of average number of employees [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfAverageNumberOfEmployeesLineItems
2740 Average number of employees Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:AverageNumberOfEmployees
2741 102160 - Disclosure - Average number of employees - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAverageNumberOfEmployeesAdditionalInformationDetail
2742 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2743 Number And Average Number Of Employees [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:NumberAndAverageNumberOfEmployeesAbstract
2744 Per cent of employees of subsidiary companies Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfEmployeesOfSubsidiaryCompanies
2745 102170 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries - Summary of principal in subsidiaries (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalSubsidiariesSummaryOfPrincipalInSubsidiariesDetail
2746 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
2747 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2748 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2749 Argyle Diamonds Limited [member] Member rio:ArgyleDiamondsLimitedMember
2750 Dampier Salt Limited [member] Member rio:DampierSaltLimitedMember
2751 Energy Resources of Australia Limited [Member] Member rio:EnergyResourcesOfAustraliaLtdMember
2752 Hamersley Iron Pty Limited [member] Member rio:HamersleyIronPtyLimitedMember
2753 North Mining Limited [member] Member rio:NorthMiningLimitedMember
2754 Queensland Coal Pty Limited [member] Member rio:QueenslandCoalPtyLimitedMember
2755 Rio Tinto Aluminium (Holdings) Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoAluminiumHoldingsLimitedMember
2756 Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd [member] Member rio:RobeRiverMiningCoPtyLtdMember
2757 Alcan Alumina Ltda. [member] Member rio:AlcanAluminaLtdaMember
2758 Iron Ore Company of Canada [member] Member rio:IronOreCompanyOfCanadaMember
2759 Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. [member] Member rio:RioTintoFerEtTitaneIncMember
2760 Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. [member] Member rio:DiavikDiamondMinesTowThousandTwelveIncMember
2761 Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. [member] Member rio:RioTintoAlcanMember
2762 Simfer Jersey Limited [member] Member rio:SimferJerseyLimitedMember
2763 QIT Madagascar Minerals SA [member] Member rio:QitMadagascarMineralsSaMember
2764 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd (including Oyu Tolgoi LLC) [member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdIncludingOyuTolgoiLlcMember
2765 Rossing Uranium [member] Member rio:RossingUraniumLimitedMember
2766 Richards Bay Titanium (Proprietary) Limited [member] Member rio:RichardsBayTitaniumProprietaryLimitedMember
2767 Richards Bay Mining (Proprietary) Limited [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMiningProprietaryLimitedMember
2768 Kennecott Holdings Corporation (including Kennecott Utah Copper, Kennecott Land and Kennecott Exploration) [member] Member rio:KennecottHoldingsCorporationIncludingKennecottUtahCopperKennecottLandAndKennecottExplorationMember
2769 U.S. Borax Inc. [member] Member rio:UsBoraxIncMember
2770 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2771 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2772 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2773 Class A shares [member] Member rio:ClassASharesMember
2774 Class B shares [member] Member rio:ClassSharesMember
2775 Quota shares [member] Member rio:QuotaSharesMember
2776 Common shares [member] Member rio:CommonSharesMember
2777 Class B preference shares [member] Member rio:ClassBPreferenceSharesMember
2778 Preferred shares [member] Member rio:PreferredSharesMember
2779 Common Shares and Investment Certificates [Member] Member rio:CommonSharesAndInvestmentCertificatesMember
2780 Investment certificates [member] Member rio:InvestmentCertificatesMember
2781 Voting certificates [member] Member rio:VotingCertificatesMember
2782 B class of shares [member] Member rio:BClassOfSharesMember
2783 C class of shares [member] Member rio:CClassOfSharesMember
2784 B ordinary shares [member] Member rio:BOrdinarySharesMember
2785 B preference shares [member] Member rio:BPreferenceSharesMember
2786 Parent preference shares [member] Member rio:ParentPreferenceSharesMember
2787 B Ordinary, B Preference and Parent Preference Shares [Member] Member rio:BOrdinaryBPreferenceAndParentPreferenceSharesMember
2788 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
2789 Country of incorporation, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOrResidenceOfSubsidiary
2790 Subsidiary name Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfSubsidiary
2791 Principal activities, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysOperationsAndPrincipalActivities
2792 Proportion of class held (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfClassHeldInSubsidiary
2793 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
2794 Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
2795 102180 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries - Summary of principal in subsidiaries (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalSubsidiariesSummaryOfPrincipalInSubsidiariesParentheticalDetail
2796 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
2797 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2798 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2799 Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd [member] Member rio:RobeRiverMiningCoPtyLtdMember
2800 North Mining Limited [member] Member rio:NorthMiningLimitedMember
2801 Queensland Coal Pty Limited [member] Member rio:QueenslandCoalPtyLimitedMember
2802 Simfer Jersey Limited [member] Member rio:SimferJerseyLimitedMember
2803 Simfer S.A. [member] Member rio:SimferSaMember
2804 QIT Madagascar Minerals SA [member] Member rio:QitMadagascarMineralsSaMember
2805 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdMember
2806 Rossing Uranium [member] Member rio:RossingUraniumLimitedMember
2807 Richards Bay Mining (Proprietary) Limited [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMiningProprietaryLimitedMember
2808 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2809 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2810 Robe river iron associates [member] Member rio:RobeRiverIronAssociatesMember
2811 Hail Creek [Member] Member rio:HailCreekJointVentureMember
2812 Kestrel Underground Coal Mine [Member] Member rio:KestrelJointVentureMember
2813 Consorcio De Aluminio Do Maranhao [member] Member rio:ConsrcioDeAlumnioDoMaranhoMember
2814 Diavik Joint Venture [member] Member rio:DiavikJointVentureMember
2815 Continuing and discontinued operations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
2816 Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
2817 2018 Disposals [Member] Member rio:TwoThousandAndEighteenDisposalsMember
2818 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2819 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2820 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2821 Common shares [member] Member rio:CommonSharesMember
2822 Common Shares and Investment Certificates [Member] Member rio:CommonSharesAndInvestmentCertificatesMember
2823 B Ordinary, B Preference and Parent Preference Shares [Member] Member rio:BOrdinaryBPreferenceAndParentPreferenceSharesMember
2824 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2825 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2826 Oyu Tolgoi LLC [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLlcMember
2827 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
2828 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
2829 Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
2830 Proportion of net beneficial interest Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfNetBeneficialInterest
2831 Percentage of ownership interest exchanged in joint venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2832 Ownership interest in joint venture disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointventureDisposed
2833 Contractual obligations corresponding to receivable or contingent asset Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ContractualObligationsCorrespondingToReceivableOrContingentAsset
2834 Indirect interest in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfIndirectOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
2835 Proportion of class held (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingPowerHeldInSubsidiary
2836 Portion of additional economic interest held through non voting investment Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PortionOfAdditionalEconomicInterestHeldThroughNonVotingInvestment
2837 Portion of economic interest held through non voting investment Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PortionOfEconomicInterestHeldThroughNonVotingInvestment
2838 Non-controlling interest voting rights Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingRightsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
2839 102190 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries - Summary of subsidiaries financial information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalSubsidiariesSummaryOfSubsidiariesFinancialInformationDetail
2840 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
2841 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2842 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2843 Iron Ore Company of Canada [member] Member rio:IronOreCompanyOfCanadaMember
2844 Energy Resources of Australia Limited [Member] Member rio:EnergyResourcesOfAustraliaMember
2845 Turquoise Hill [Member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillMember
2846 Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd [member] Member rio:RobeRiverMiningCoPtyLtdMember
2847 Other companies and eliminations [member] Member rio:OtherCompaniesAndEliminationsMember
2848 Robe River [member] Member rio:RobeRiverIronAssociatesMember
2849 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
2850 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
2851 Profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
2852 – attributable to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterests
2853 – attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (net earnings) Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2854 Other comprehensive (loss)/income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
2855 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
2856 – Non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
2857 – Current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
2858 – Current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
2859 – Non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
2860 Net assets/(liabilities) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
2861 Attributable to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncontrollingInterests
2862 Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (see Group balance sheet) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
2863 Cash flow from operations Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromUsedInOperatingActivities
2864 Dividends paid to holders of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:DividendsPaidToNoncontrollingInterests
2865 102200 - Disclosure - Principal subsidiaries - Summary of subsidiaries financial information (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalSubsidiariesSummaryOfSubsidiariesFinancialInformationParentheticalDetail
2866 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesTable
2867 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
2868 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
2869 North Mining Limited [member] Member rio:NorthMiningLimitedMember
2870 Business combinations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
2871 Entity's total for business combinations [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
2872 Robe river iron associates [member] Member rio:RobeRiverIronAssociatesMember
2873 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Subsidiaries [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesLineItems
2874 Goodwill Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:Goodwill
2875 102210 - Disclosure - Principal joint operations - Summary of principle joint operations (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointOperationsSummaryOfPrincipleJointOperationsDetail
2876 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsTable
2877 Joint operations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointOperationsAxis
2878 Entity's total for joint operations [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointOperationsMember
2879 Tomago Aluminium Joint Venture [member] Member rio:TomagoAluminiumJointVentureMember
2880 Gladstone Power Station [member] Member rio:GladstonePowerStationMember
2881 Hope Downs Joint Venture [member] Member rio:HopeDownsJointVentureMember
2882 Queensland Alumina Limited [member] Member rio:QueenslandAluminaLimitedMember
2883 Pilbara Iron arrangement [Member] Member rio:PilbaraIronArrangementMember
2884 New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited [member] Member rio:NewZealandAluminiumSmeltersLimitedMember
2885 Aluminerie Alouette Inc. [member] Member rio:AluminerieAlouetteIncMember
2886 Pechiney Reynolds Quebec Inc [member] Member rio:PechineyReynoldsQuebecIncMember
2887 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsLineItems
2888 Company of operation, Joint Operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfJointOperation
2889 Country of incorporation, Joint Operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOfJointOperation
2890 Principal activities, Joint Operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysRelationshipWithJointOperation
2891 Group interest (%), Joint Operation Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointOperation
2892 102220 - Disclosure - Principal joint operations - Summary of principle joint operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointOperationsSummaryOfPrincipleJointOperationsParentheticalDetail
2893 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsTable
2894 Joint operations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointOperationsAxis
2895 Entity's total for joint operations [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointOperationsMember
2896 New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited [member] Member rio:NewZealandAluminiumSmeltersLimitedMember
2897 Queensland Alumina Limited [member] Member rio:QueenslandAluminaLimitedMember
2898 Pilbara Iron arrangement [Member] Member rio:PilbaraIronArrangementMember
2899 Pechiney Reynolds Quebec Inc [member] Member rio:PechineyReynoldsQuebecIncMember
2900 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2901 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2902 Aluminerie De Becancour Inc [member] Member rio:AluminerieDeBcancourIncMember
2903 Disclosure Of Joint Operations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointOperationsLineItems
2904 Group interest (%), Joint Operation Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointOperation
2905 Number of subsidiary Concept (Integer) For Period rio:NumberOfSubsidiary
2906 Company of operation, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfSubsidiary
2907 Group interest (%), Joint Venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2908 Company of operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfJointVenture
2909 Principal activities, Joint Operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysRelationshipWithJointOperation
2910 Country of incorporation, Joint Venture Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOfJointVenture
2911 102230 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Summary of joint ventures (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesSummaryOfJointVenturesDetail
2912 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesTable
2913 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2914 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2915 Minera Escondida Limitada [member] Member rio:MineraEscondidaLimitadaMember
2916 Sohar Aluminium Co. L.L.C. [member] Member rio:SoharAluminiumCoLlcMember
2917 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2918 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2919 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2920 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesLineItems
2921 Company of operation Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfJointVenture
2922 Country of incorporation, Joint Venture Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOfJointVenture
2923 Principal activities, Joint Venture Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysRelationshipWithJointVenture
2924 Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
2925 Proportion of class held (%), Joint Venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfVotingRightsHeldInJointVenture
2926 Group interest (%), Joint Venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2927 102240 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Summary of joint ventures (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesSummaryOfJointVenturesParentheticalDetail
2928 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesTable
2929 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2930 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2931 Minera Escondida Limitada [member] Member rio:MineraEscondidaLimitadaMember
2932 Sohar Aluminium Co. L.L.C. [member] Member rio:SoharAluminiumCoLlcMember
2933 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
2934 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
2935 BHP Billiton Member Member rio:BhpBillitonMember
2936 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesLineItems
2937 Group interest (%), Joint Venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2938 Ownership interest in joint venture held by joint partner Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVentureHeldByJointPartner
2939 102250 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesAdditionalInformationDetail
2940 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
2941 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesAbstract
2942 Description of basis of preparation of summarized financial information of joint venture Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfBasisOfPreparationOfSummarisedFinancialInformationOfJointVenture
2943 102260 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Summary financial information for joint ventures by fair value (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesSummaryFinancialInformationForJointVenturesByFairValueDetail
2944 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesTable
2945 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2946 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2947 Minera Escondida Limitada [member] Member rio:MineraEscondidaLimitadaMember
2948 Sohar Aluminium Co. L.L.C. [member] Member rio:SoharAluminiumCoLlcMember
2949 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesLineItems
2950 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
2951 Depreciation and amortisation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
2952 Other operating costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OperatingExpenseExcludingCostOfSales
2953 Operating profit Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GrossProfit
2954 Finance costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:FinanceCosts
2955 Taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:IncomeTaxExpenseContinuingOperations
2956 Profit after tax for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
2957 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
2958 – Non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
2959 – Current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
2960 – Current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
2961 – Non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
2962 Net assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
2963 Cash and cash equivalents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalents
2964 – current financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentFinancialLiabilities
2965 – non-current financial liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentFinancialLiabilities
2966 Dividends received from joint venture (Rio Tinto share) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedFromJointVenturesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
2967 102270 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Reconciliation of financial information for joint ventures by carrying value (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesReconciliationOfFinancialInformationForJointVenturesByCarryingValueDetail
2968 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesTable
2969 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
2970 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
2971 Minera Escondida Limitada [member] Member rio:MineraEscondidaLimitadaMember
2972 Sohar Aluminium Co. L.L.C. [member] Member rio:SoharAluminiumCoLlcMember
2973 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesLineItems
2974 Group interest Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
2975 Net assets/(liabilities) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
2976 Group's ownership interest Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsInJointVenturesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
2977 Other adjustments Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OtherAdjustmentsToCarryingAmountJointVentures
2978 Carrying value of Group's interest Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsInJointVentures
2979 102280 - Disclosure - Principal joint ventures - Reconciliation of financial information for joint ventures by carrying value (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalJointVenturesReconciliationOfFinancialInformationForJointVenturesByCarryingValueParentheticalDetail
2980 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesTable
2981 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
2982 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
2983 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
2984 Disclosure Of Joint Ventures [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfJointVenturesLineItems
2985 – deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DeferredTaxLiabilities
2986 102290 - Disclosure - Principal associates - Summary of principal associates (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalAssociatesSummaryOfPrincipalAssociatesDetail
2987 Disclosure of associates [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
2988 Associates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
2989 Entity's total for associates [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
2990 Boyne Smelters Limited [member] Member rio:BoyneSmeltersLimitedMember
2991 Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A. [member] Member rio:MineracaoRioDoNorteSaMember
2992 Halco (Mining) Inc [member] Member rio:HalcoMiningIncMember
2993 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
2994 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
2995 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
2996 Preferred Shares [member] Member ifrs-full:PreferenceSharesMember
2997 Common and preferred shares [member] Member rio:CommonAndPreferredSharesMember
2998 Common shares [member] Member rio:CommonSharesMember
2999 Disclosure of associates [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
3000 Company of operation, Associate Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfAssociate
3001 Country of incorporation, Associate Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOrResidenceOfAssociate
3002 Principal activities, Associate Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfNatureOfEntitysRelationshipWithAssociate
3003 Rio Tinto Limited shares were held by Rio Tinto plc Concept (Shares) As Of ifrs-full:SharesInEntityHeldByEntityOrByItsSubsidiariesOrAssociates
3004 Proportion of class held (%), Associate Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfShareClassHeldInAssociates
3005 Group interest (%), Associate Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
3006 102300 - Disclosure - Principal associates - Summary of principal associates (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalAssociatesSummaryOfPrincipalAssociatesParentheticalDetail
3007 Disclosure of associates [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
3008 Associates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
3009 Entity's total for associates [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
3010 Mineracao Rio do Norte S.A. [member] Member rio:MineracaoRioDoNorteSaMember
3011 Halco (Mining) Inc [member] Member rio:HalcoMiningIncMember
3012 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
3013 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
3014 Compagnie des Bauxites de Guine [member] Member rio:CompagnieDesBauxitesDeGuineMember
3015 Disclosure of associates [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
3016 Group interest (%), Associate Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
3017 Indirect interest in associate Concept (Percent) For Period rio:IndirectInterestInAssociate
3018 Company of operation, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:NameOfSubsidiary
3019 Country of incorporation, Subsidiary Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:CountryOfIncorporationOrResidenceOfSubsidiary
3020 102310 - Disclosure - Principal associates - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalAssociatesAdditionalInformationDetail
3021 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
3022 Disclosure Of Significant Investments In Associates [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAbstract
3023 Description of basis of preparation of summarised financial information of associate Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfBasisOfPreparationOfSummarisedFinancialInformationOfAssociate
3024 102320 - Disclosure - Principal associates - Reconciliation of financial information for principal associates by carrying value (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalAssociatesReconciliationOfFinancialInformationForPrincipalAssociatesByCarryingValueDetail
3025 Disclosure of associates [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
3026 Associates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
3027 Entity's total for associates [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
3028 Boyne Smelters Limited [member] Member rio:BoyneSmeltersLimitedMember
3029 Disclosure of associates [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
3030 Revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
3031 (Loss)/profit after tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
3032 Other comprehensive (loss)/income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
3033 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
3034 – Non-current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NoncurrentAssets
3035 – Current assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentAssets
3036 – Current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:CurrentLiabilities
3037 – Non-current liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NoncurrentLiabilities
3038 Net assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
3039 Group interest (%), Associate Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInAssociate
3040 Net assets/(liabilities) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:NetAssetsLiabilities
3041 Group's ownership interest Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsInAssociatesAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
3042 Quasi equity loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:QuasiEquityLoansToEquityAccountedUnits
3043 Carrying value of Group's interest Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsInAssociates
3044 102330 - Disclosure - Principal associates - Summary information for joint ventures and associates that are not individually material to the group (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePrincipalAssociatesSummaryInformationForJointVenturesAndAssociatesThatAreNotIndividuallyMaterialToGroupDetail
3045 Disclosure of associates [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesTable
3046 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
3047 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
3048 Joint ventures [Member] Member ifrs-full:JointVenturesMember
3049 Associates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
3050 Entity's total for associates [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
3051 Associates [Member] Member ifrs-full:AssociatesMember
3052 Disclosure of associates [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesLineItems
3053 Carrying value of Group's interest Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentsInSubsidiariesJointVenturesAndAssociates
3054 (Loss)/profit after tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLoss
3055 Other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncome
3056 Total comprehensive income for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ComprehensiveIncome
3057 102340 - Disclosure - Purchases and sales of subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and other interests in businesses - Additional information (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePurchasesAndSalesOfSubsidiariesJointVenturesAssociatesAndOtherInterestsInBusinessesAdditionalInformationDetail
3058 Disclosure Of Acquisitions And Disposals [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposalsTable
3059 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
3060 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
3061 Elysis [Member] Member rio:ElysisMember
3062 Whitehaven Coal Limited [Member] Member rio:WhitehavenCoalLimitedMember
3063 Hail Creek [Member] Member rio:HailCreekJointVentureMember
3064 Valeria Project [Member] Member rio:ValeriaProjectMember
3065 Kestrel Underground Coal Mine [Member] Member rio:KestrelJointVentureMember
3066 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
3067 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
3068 Simfer Jersey Limited [member] Member rio:SimferJerseyLimitedMember
3069 Simfer S.A. [member] Member rio:SimferSaMember
3070 Dunkerque Aluminium Smelter [Member] Member rio:DunkerqueAluminiumSmelterMember
3071 Grasberg [Member] Member rio:GrasbergMember
3072 Carbone savoie [Member] Member rio:CarboneSavoieMember
3073 Bougainville Copper Limited [Member] Member rio:BougainvilleCopperLimitedMember
3074 Lochaber [member] Member rio:LochaberMember
3075 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
3076 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
3077 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
3078 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
3079 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
3080 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
3081 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
3082 Maturity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:MaturityAxis
3083 Aggregated time bands [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregatedTimeBandsMember
3084 Due within 1 year [member] Member ifrs-full:NotLaterThanOneYearMember
3085 Continuing and discontinued operations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
3086 Aggregate continuing and discontinued operations [member] Member ifrs-full:AggregateContinuingAndDiscontinuedOperationsMember
3087 2018 Disposals [Member] Member rio:TwoThousandAndEighteenDisposalsMember
3088 2017 disposals [member] Member rio:TwoThousandAndSeventeenDisposalsMember
3089 2016 disposals [member] Member rio:TwoThousandAndSixteenDisposalsMember
3090 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
3091 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
3092 Land and Investments [Member] Member rio:LandAndInvestmentsMember
3093 Undeveloped Properties [Member] Member rio:UndevelopedPropertiesMember
3094 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
3095 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
3096 Copper and Gold Revenues [Member] Member rio:CopperAndGoldRevenuesMember
3097 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
3098 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
3099 Yancoal Australia Limited [member] Member rio:YancoalAustraliaLimitedMember
3100 New hope corporation limited [member] Member rio:NewHopeCorporationLimitedMember
3101 Alandia industries [member] Member rio:AlandiaIndustriesMember
3102 SIMEC [member] Member rio:SimecMember
3103 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3104 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3105 Equity Trustees Limited [Member] Member rio:EquityTrusteesLimitedMember
3106 Autonomous Bougainville Government [Member] Member rio:AutonomousBougainvilleGovernmentMember
3107 Independent State of Papua New Guinea [Member] Member rio:IndependentStateOfPapuaNewGuineaMember
3108 Disclosure Of Acquisitions And Disposals [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfAcquisitionsAndDisposalsLineItems
3109 Cash investment in joint venture Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherCashPaymentsToAcquireInterestsInJointVenturesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
3110 Fare value of patents Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:Patents
3111 Fair value of intellectual property Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:IntellectualProperty
3112 Percentage of purchased interest Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfSubsidiary
3113 Purchased amount Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AmountOfSubsidiaryPurchased
3114 Disposal amount Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ConsiderationPaidReceived
3115 Ownership interest in joint venture disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointventureDisposed
3116 Cash received from disposals Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:CashFlowsFromDisposalOfProjectOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedOperatingActivities
3117 Current trade receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:CurrentTradeReceivables
3118 Gains on disposals of projects Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsOnDisposalsOfInvestments
3119 Net proceeds disposal of project Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOfMiningAssets
3120 Profit before taxation Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossBeforeTax
3121 Proceeds from sale of a business Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ProceedsReceivedIn2018AfterAdjustments
3122 Cash received from disposals Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ProceedsExpectedToBeReceivedIn2019
3123 Revenues, net of capital contribution. Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RevenuesNetOfCapitalContribution
3124 Disposals of subsidiaries, joint ventures, unincorporated joint operations, and associates Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CashFlowsFromLosingControlOfSubsidiariesOrOtherBusinessesClassifiedAsInvestingActivities
3125 Cash consideration for disposal Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PortionOfConsiderationPaidReceivedConsistingOfCashAndCashEquivalents
3126 Expected unconditional royalty payments to be received Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ExpectedUnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyPaymentsToBeReceived
3127 Unconditional guaranteed royalty payments received Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyPaymentsReceived
3128 Unconditional guaranteed royalty received Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:UnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyReceived
3129 Expected unconditional royalty payments Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ExpectedUnconditionalGuaranteedRoyaltyPayments
3130 Ownership interest in cash generating units disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInCashGeneratingUnitsDisposed
3131 Percentage of share holding transferred Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfShareHoldingTransferred
3132 Percentage of ownership shares distributed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfOwnershipSharesDistributed
3133 Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
3134 Percentage of non-contributory shares Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfNoncontributoryShares
3135 Percentage of ordinary contributory shares upon second tranche Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfOrdinaryContributorySharesUponSecondTranche
3136 Percentage of ordinary contributory shares Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfOrdinaryContributoryShares
3137 Proportion of ownership interest disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestDisposed
3138 Cash received Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:CashAndCashEquivalentsInSubsidiaryOrBusinessesAcquiredOrDisposed2013
3139 102350 - Disclosure - Directors' and key management remuneration - Summary of aggregate remuneration calculated in accordance with UK companies act 2006 (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationSummaryOfAggregateRemunerationCalculatedInAccordanceWithUKCompaniesAct2006Detail
3140 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
3141 Disclosure Of Directors And Key Management Remuneration [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationAbstract
3142 Emoluments Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelRemuneration
3143 Long term incentive plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelRemunerationLongtermIncentivePlans
3144 Total Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelDirectorsRemuneration
3145 Pension contributions: defined contribution plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelRemunerationPensionContributionsToDefinedContributionPlans
3146 Gains made on exercise of share options Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelRemunerationGainsOnExerciseOfOptions
3147 102360 - Disclosure - Directors' and key management remuneration - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationAdditionalInformationDetail
3148 Disclosure Of Directors And Key Management Remuneration [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationTable
3149 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3150 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3151 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3152 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3153 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
3154 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member] Member ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
3155 Defined Benefit Plan Member rio:DefinedBenefitPlanMember
3156 Defined Contribution Plans Member rio:DefinedContributionPlansMember
3157 Disclosure Of Directors And Key Management Remuneration [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationLineItems
3158 Aggregate remuneration incurred Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensation
3159 Aggregate pension contribution to defined contribution plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationPostemploymentBenefits
3160 Aggregate remuneration including pension contributions and other retirement benefits Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationIncludingPensionContributionsAndOtherRetirementBenefits
3161 Number of directors accrued retirement benefits under defined contribution arrangements Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfParticipantsOfRetirementBenefitPlanReceivingBenefits
3162 Other employment costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:OtherEmployeeExpense
3163 102370 - Disclosure - Directors' and key management remuneration - Summary of aggregate compensation representing the expense recognised under IFRS (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationSummaryOfAggregateCompensationRepresentingExpenseRecognisedUnderIFRSDetail
3164 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
3165 Disclosure Of Directors And Key Management Remuneration [Abstract] Abstract rio:DisclosureOfDirectorsAndKeyManagementRemunerationAbstract
3166 Short-term employee benefits and costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationShorttermEmployeeBenefits
3167 Post-employment benefits Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationPostemploymentBenefits
3168 Employment termination benefits Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationTerminationBenefits
3169 Share-based payments Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensationSharebasedPayment
3170 Total Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:KeyManagementPersonnelCompensation
3171 102380 - Disclosure - Auditors' remuneration - Auditors' remuneration (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAuditorsRemunerationAuditorsRemunerationDetail
3172 Auditors Remuneration [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:AuditorsRemunerationTable
3173 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
3174 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
3175 Rio Tinto [member] Member ifrs-full:ParentMember
3176 Subsidiaries [Member] Member ifrs-full:SubsidiariesMember
3177 Auditors Remuneration [Line Items] LineItems rio:AuditorsRemunerationLineItems
3178 Audit of the Group Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AuditorsRemuneration
3179 Audit-related assurance service Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForAuditRelatedAssuranceServices
3180 Other assurance services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForOtherServices
3181 Total assurance services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForAssuranceServices
3182 Tax compliance Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsFeesForTaxComplianceServices
3183 Tax advisory services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForTaxServices
3184 Other non-audit services not covered above Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForOtherNonauditServices
3185 Total non-audit services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForNonAuditServices
3186 Total Group Auditors’ remuneration Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForAuditingAndNonAuditServices
3187 Audit of the financial statements of the Group’s subsidiaries Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditFeeOfFinancialStatementsOfSubsidiaries
3188 Fees in respect of pension scheme audits Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditServicesInRespectOfEmployeePensionPlans
3189 Total audit fees payable to other accounting firms Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditFeesPayableToSubsidiaries
3190 102390 - Disclosure - Auditors' remuneration - Auditors' remuneration (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAuditorsRemunerationAuditorsRemunerationParentheticalDetail
3191 Auditors Remuneration [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:AuditorsRemunerationTable
3192 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3193 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3194 PWC [Member] Member rio:PWCMember
3195 Auditors Remuneration [Line Items] LineItems rio:AuditorsRemunerationLineItems
3196 Auditors remuneration for audit services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForAuditServicesOfAssociatedPensionSchemes
3197 Auditors remuneration for non audit services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AuditorsRemunerationForNonAuditServicesRelatingToAssociatedPensionSchemes
3198 Tax advisory services Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:AuditorsRemunerationForTaxServices
3199 102400 - Disclosure - Related-party transactions - Summary of transactions and balances with equity accounted units (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartyTransactionsSummaryOfTransactionsAndBalancesWithEquityAccountedUnitsDetail
3200 Disclosure Of Transactions Between Related Parties [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesTable
3201 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
3202 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
3203 Investment in equity accounted units [member] Member ifrs-full:InvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethodMember
3204 Disclosure of transactions between related parties [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTransactionsBetweenRelatedPartiesLineItems
3205 Purchases from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PurchasesOfGoodsRelatedPartyTransactions
3206 Sales to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:RevenueFromSaleOfGoodsRelatedPartyTransactions
3207 Dividends from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DividendsReceivedClassifiedAsOperatingActivities
3208 Net funding of equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProceedsFromPurchaseOfInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
3209 Investments in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:InvestmentAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
3210 Loans to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:LoansToEquityAccountedUnits
3211 Loans from equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:LoansFromEquityAccountedUnits
3212 Trade and other receivables: amounts due from equity accounted units (b) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherReceivablesDueFromRelatedParties
3213 Trade and other payables: amounts due to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:TradeAndOtherPayablesToRelatedParties
3214 102410 - Disclosure - Exchange rates in US$ - Summary of principal exchange rate used in preparation of financial statements (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureExchangeRatesInUSSummaryOfPrincipalExchangeRateUsedInPreparationOfFinancialStatementsDetail
3215 Disclosure Of Foreign Exchange Rates [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:DisclosureOfForeignExchangeRatesTable
3216 Currencies Axis rio:CurrenciesAxis
3217 Currencies Member Member rio:CurrenciesMember
3218 United Kingdom, Pounds Member currency:GBP
3219 Australian dollar [Member] Member currency:AUD
3220 Canadian dollar [Member] Member currency:CAD
3221 Euro Member Countries, Euro Member currency:EUR
3222 South African rand [Member] Member currency:ZAR
3223 Disclosure Of Foreign Exchange Rates [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfForeignExchangeRatesLineItems
3224 Full-year average exchange rate per U.S.$ Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:AverageForeignExchangeRate
3225 Year-end exchange rate per U.S.$ Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:ClosingForeignExchangeRate
3226 102420 - Disclosure - Share-based payments - Charge has been recognised in income statement for Rio Tinto's share-based incentive plans, and the related liability (for cash-settled plans) (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsChargeHasBeenRecognisedInIncomeStatementForRioTintoSShareBasedIncentivePlansAndRelatedLiabilityForCashSettledPlansDetail
3227 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3228 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3229 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3230 Equity-settled plans [member] Member rio:EquitysettledPlansMember
3231 Cash-settled plans [member] Member rio:CashsettledPlansMember
3232 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3233 Liability at the end of the year Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesFromSharebasedPaymentTransactions2011
3234 Charge recognised for the year Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ExpenseFromSharebasedPaymentTransactionsInWhichGoodsOrServicesReceivedDidNotQualifyForRecognitionAsAssets
3235 102430 - Disclosure - Share-based payments - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsAdditionalInformationDetail
3236 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3237 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3238 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3239 Share Option Plan [member] Member rio:ShareOptionPlanMember
3240 UK share plan [member] Member rio:UkSharePlanMember
3241 Performance share plans [member] Member rio:PerformanceSharePlansMember
3242 Management share plans [member] Member rio:ManagementSharePlansMember
3243 Bonus deferral plans [member] Member rio:BonusDeferralPlansMember
3244 Global employee share plans [member] Member rio:GlobalEmployeeSharePlansMember
3245 Share Incentive Plans Member rio:ShareIncentivePlansMember
3246 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
3247 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
3248 Executive directors and product group executives [member] Member rio:ExecutiveDirectorsAndProductGroupExecutivesMember
3249 Other executives [member] Member rio:OtherExecutivesMember
3250 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3251 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3252 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3253 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3254 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
3255 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
3256 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
3257 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
3258 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3259 Option expiry period Concept (Year) For Period rio:ShareOptionExpiryPeriod
3260 Description of method of settlement for share-based payment arrangement Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfMethodOfSettlementForSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3261 Information on how the fair value of share options granted was measured Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:InformationAboutHowFairValueWasMeasuredShareOptionsGranted
3262 Description of award granted for share-based payment arrangement Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfMaximumTermOfOptionsGrantedForSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3263 Number of global mining comparators Concept (Integer) For Period rio:NumberOfGlobalMiningComparators
3264 Percentage of forfeitures, prior to vesting, on outstanding awards Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfForfeituresPriorToVestingOnOutstandingAwards
3265 Share-based payments, fair value measurement description Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:InformationAboutHowFairWasDeterminedIfNotOnBasisOfObservableMarketOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
3266 Vesting requirements for share based awards Concept (Text/String) For Period ifrs-full:DescriptionOfVestingRequirementsForSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3267 Percentage of cancellations employees electing to withdraw their investment shares before vesting of their matching shares Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfCancellationsEmployeesElectingToWithdrawTheirInvestmentSharesBeforeVesting
3268 Options outstanding, number of options Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
3269 Aggregate Intrinsic Value Of Outstanding Share Options Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:AggregateIntrinsicValueOfOutstandingShareOptions
3270 Percentage of share-based payment charge for plan Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfSharebasedPaymentChargeForPlan
3271 Cash-settled awards outstanding Concept (Shares) As Of rio:NumberOfSharesCashsettledAwardsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3272 Liability for cash-settled awards Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilitiesFromSharebasedPaymentTransactions2011
3273 102440 - Disclosure - Share-based payments - Summary of options outstanding and exercisable (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsSummaryOfOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableDetail
3274 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3275 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3276 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3277 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3278 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3279 Ranges of exercise prices for outstanding share options [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsAxis
3280 Ranges of exercise prices for outstanding share options [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsMember
3281 Exercise price GBPXX - GBPXX [member] Member rio:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsOneMember
3282 Exercise price A$XX [member] Member rio:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsTwoMember
3283 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3284 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3285 Share Option Plan [member] Member rio:ShareOptionPlanMember
3286 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3287 Options outstanding, number Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfOutstandingShareOptions
3288 Weighted average exercise price per option Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfShareOptionsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3289 Weighted average remaining contractual life Years Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageRemainingContractualLifeOfOutstandingShareOptions
3290 Aggregate intrinsic value Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IntrinsicValueOfLiabilitiesFromSharebasedPaymentTransactionsForWhichCounterpartysRightToCashOrOtherAssetsVested2011
3291 102450 - Disclosure - Share-based payments - Summary of options outstanding and exercisable (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsSummaryOfOptionsOutstandingAndExercisableParentheticalDetail
3292 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3293 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3294 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3295 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3296 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3297 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
3298 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
3299 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
3300 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
3301 Ranges of exercise prices for outstanding share options [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsAxis
3302 Ranges of exercise prices for outstanding share options [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsMember
3303 Ranges Of Exercise Prices For Outstanding Share Options Three Member rio:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsThreeMember
3304 Ranges Of Exercise Prices For Outstanding Share Options Four Member rio:RangesOfExercisePricesForOutstandingShareOptionsFourMember
3305 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3306 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3307 Share Option Plan [member] Member rio:ShareOptionPlanMember
3308 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3309 Options outstanding, exercise price Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:ExercisePriceOfOutstandingShareOptions
3310 102460 - Disclosure - Share-based payments -Summary of performance share plans (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsSummaryOfPerformanceSharePlansDetail
3311 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3312 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3313 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3314 Performance share plans [member] Member rio:PerformanceSharePlansMember
3315 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3316 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3317 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3318 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3319 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3320 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3321 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, awarded Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3322 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, forfeited Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3323 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, failed performance conditions Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageFairValueAtGrantDateOfNonvestedSharesFailedPerformanceConditionsInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3324 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, vested Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3325 Weighted average fair value transfers from equity to cash settled Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageFairValueTransfersFromEquityToCashSettled
3326 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares at ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3327 Number of non-vested shares at beginning balance Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3328 Number of non-vested shares, awarded Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
3329 Number of non-vested shares, forfeited Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3330 Number of non-vested shares, failed performance conditions Concept (Decimal) For Period rio:NumberOfNovestedSharesFailedPerformanceConditionsInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3331 Number of non-vested shares, vested Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3332 Number of transfers from equity to cash settled Concept (Decimal) As Of rio:NumberOfTransfersFromEquityToCashSettled
3333 Number of non-vested shares at ending balance Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3334 Weighted average share price, Vested awards settled in shares during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageSharePriceOfEquitysettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3335 Weighted average share price, Vested awards settled in cash during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageSharePriceOfCashsettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3336 Number of vested awards settled in shares during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Decimal) For Period rio:NumberOfEquitysettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3337 Number of vested awards settled in cash during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Decimal) For Period rio:NumberOfCashsettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3338 102470 - Disclosure - Share-based payments -Management Share Plans, Bonus Deferral Plans, Global Employee Share Plans and UK Share Plan (combined) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedPaymentsManagementSharePlansBonusDeferralPlansGlobalEmployeeSharePlansAndUKSharePlanCombinedDetail
3339 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementTable
3340 Types of share-based payment arrangements [axis] Axis ifrs-full:TypesOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementsAxis
3341 Share-based payment arrangements [member] Member ifrs-full:SharebasedPaymentArrangementsMember
3342 Management share plans, bonus deferral plans, global employee share plans and uk share plan (combined) [member] Member rio:ShareIncentivePlansMember
3343 Management share plans [member] Member rio:ManagementSharePlansMember
3344 Bonus deferral plans [member] Member rio:BonusDeferralPlansMember
3345 Global employee share plans [member] Member rio:GlobalEmployeeSharePlansMember
3346 UK share plan [member] Member rio:UkSharePlanMember
3347 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3348 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3349 Rio Tinto plc [member] Member rio:RioTintoPlcMember
3350 Rio Tinto Limited [member] Member rio:RioTintoLimitedMember
3351 Disclosure Of Terms And Conditions Of Sharebased Payment Arrangement [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfTermsAndConditionsOfSharebasedPaymentArrangementLineItems
3352 Number of non-vested shares at beginning balance Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3353 Number of non-vested shares, awarded Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfInstrumentsOtherEquityInstrumentsGranted
3354 Number of non-vested shares, forfeited Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3355 Number of non-vested shares, Cancelled Concept (Decimal) For Period rio:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsCancelled
3356 Number of non-vested shares, vested Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:NumberOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3357 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares at beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsOutstandingInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3358 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, awarded Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsGrantedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3359 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, forfeited Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsForfeitedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3360 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, cancelled Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageFairValueAtGrantDateOfNonvestedSharesCancelled
3361 Weighted average fair value at grant date, non-vested shares, vested Concept (Monetary) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageExercisePriceOfOtherEquityInstrumentsExercisedOrVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3362 Number of vested awards settled in shares during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Decimal) For Period rio:NumberOfEquitysettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3363 Weighted average share price, Vested awards settled in shares during the year (including dividend shares applied on vesting) Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:WeightedAverageSharePriceOfEquitysettledAwardsVestedInSharebasedPaymentArrangement
3364 102480 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of fair value of plan assets (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsDetail
3365 Disclosure Of Fair Value Of Plan Assets [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsTable
3366 Classes of assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsAxis
3367 Assets [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfAssetsMember
3368 Equities [member] Member rio:EquitySecurities1Member
3369 Quoted [member] Member rio:QuotedEquitySecuritiesMember
3370 Private [member] Member rio:PrivateEquitySecuritiesMember
3371 Bonds [member] Member ifrs-full:DebtSecuritiesMember
3372 Government fixed income bonds [member] Member rio:GovernmentFixedIncomeBondsMember
3373 Government inflation- linked bonds [member] Member rio:GovernmentInflationLinkedBondsMember
3374 Corporate and other publicly quoted bonds [member] Member rio:CorporateAndOtherPubliclyQuotedBondsMember
3375 Private bonds [member] Member rio:PrivateBondsMember
3376 Property [member] Member rio:PropertyMember
3377 Quoted property funds [member] Member rio:QuotedPropertyFundsMember
3378 Unquoted property funds [member] Member rio:UnquotedPropertyFundsMember
3379 Qualifying Insurance policies [member] Member ifrs-full:InsuranceContractsMember
3380 Cash & other [member] Member rio:CashAndOtherMember
3381 Disclosure of fair value of plan assets [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFairValueOfPlanAssetsLineItems
3382 Proportions of total fair value of assets Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfAmountContributedToFairValueOfPlanAssets
3383 102490 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Additional information (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsAdditionalInformationDetail
3384 Disclosure Of Defined Benefit Plans [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
3385 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
3386 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
3387 UK Schemes [Member] Member country:GB
3388 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3389 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3390 Healthcare plans [member] Member rio:HealthcarePlansMember
3391 Disclosure of defined benefit plans [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
3392 Securities included in fair value of plan assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:DescriptionOfAmountsOfEntitysOwnFinancialInstrumentsIncludedInFairValueOfPlanAssets
3393 Defined benefit expenses excluded form unerlying earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:DefinedBenefitExpensesExlcudedFromUnderlyingEarnings
3394 Past service cost, to the current estimate cost of benefits Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:CurrentEstimateOfCostOfEqualisingBenefitsInGroupsUkScheme
3395 Estimated contributions to defined benefit pension plans for 2019 Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:EstimatedContributionToDefinedBenefitPensionPlansForNextTwelveMonth
3396 Percentage of costs, contributions, gains and losses Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfEmployeesCostsContributionsGainsAndLossesOfDefinedBenefitPensionPlan
3397 Discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRates
3398 Medical trend rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfMedicalCostTrendRates
3399 Reduction in medical trend rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
3400 Defined benefit obligation weighted average expected future life time Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationWeightedAverageExpectedFutureLifeTimeAtBalanceSheetDate
3401 Defined benefit obligation weighted average expected future life time at man aged 60 in 2036 Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationWeightedAverageExpectedFutureLifeAfterBalanceSheetDate
3402 102500 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of maturity of defined benefit obligations (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMaturityOfDefinedBenefitObligationsDetail
3403 Disclosure Of Defined Benefit Plans [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
3404 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3405 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3406 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3407 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3408 Disclosure of defined benefit plans [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
3409 Proportion relating to current employees Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationsRelatingToCurrentEmployeesMaturityPercentage
3410 Proportion relating to former employees not yet retired Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationsRelatingToFormerEmployeesNotYetRetiredMaturityPercentage
3411 Proportion relating to retirees Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationsRelatingToRetireesMaturityPercentage
3412 Defined benefit obligation Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationMaturityPercentage
3413 Average duration of obligations (years) Concept (Decimal) For Period ifrs-full:WeightedAverageDurationOfDefinedBenefitObligation
3414 102510 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of geographical distribution of defined benefit obligations (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfGeographicalDistributionOfDefinedBenefitObligationsDetail
3415 Disclosure Of Defined Benefit Plans [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
3416 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
3417 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
3418 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
3419 United Kingdom [Member] Member country:GB
3420 United States [Member] Member country:US
3421 Switzerland [member] Member country:CH
3422 Other countries [Member] Member rio:OtherCountriesMember
3423 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3424 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3425 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3426 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3427 Disclosure of defined benefit plans [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
3428 Defined benefit obligation Concept (Percent) For Period rio:DefinedBenefitObligationMaturityPercentage
3429 102520 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of total expense recognised in the income statement (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfTotalExpenseRecognisedInIncomeStatementDetail
3430 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3431 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3432 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3433 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3434 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3435 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3436 Current employer service cost for defined benefit plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3437 Past service (cost)/income Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PastServiceIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3438 Curtailment gains Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesArisingFromCurtailmentsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3439 Settlement gains Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:GainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3440 Net interest on net defined benefit liability Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3441 Non-investment expenses paid from the plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PaymentsFromPlanNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3442 Total defined benefit expense Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PostemploymentBenefitExpenseDefinedBenefitPlans
3443 Current employer service cost for defined contribution and industry-wide plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ContributionsToDefinedContributionAndIndustryWidePlans
3444 Total expense recognised in the income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PostemploymentBenefitExpenseDefinedBenefitAndContributionPlans
3445 102530 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of total amount recognised in other comprehensive income before tax (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfTotalAmountRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxDetail
3446 Implied Table Table

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*

 implied:Table
3447 Disclosure Of Defined Benefit Plans [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansAbstract
3448 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAbstract
3449 Actuarial gains/(losses) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInFinancialAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3450 Return on assets (net of interest on assets) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReturnOnPlanAssetsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3451 Gain/(loss) on application of asset ceiling Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:GainLossOnChangesInEffectOfLimitingNetDefinedBenefitAssetToAssetCeiling
3452 Total gain/(loss) recognised in other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3453 102540 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of amount recognised in balance sheet (Detail) Network

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*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfAmountRecognisedInBalanceSheetDetail
3454 Disclosure Of Information About Amounts Recognised In Balance Sheet [Table] Table

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*

 rio:DisclosureOfInformationAboutAmountsRecognisedInBalanceSheetTable
3455 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
3456 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member] Member ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
3457 Plan assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:PlanAssetsMember
3458 Present value of defined benefit obligation [Member] Member ifrs-full:PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
3459 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3460 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3461 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3462 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3463 Actuarial assumptions [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsAxis
3464 Actuarial assumptions [member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsMember
3465 Funded [member] Member rio:FundedMember
3466 Unfunded [member] Member rio:UnfundedMember
3467 Disclosure of information about amounts recognized in balance sheet [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfInformationAboutAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheetLineItems
3468 Net deficit to be shown in the balance sheet Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3469 Effect of asset ceiling Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:EffectOfAssetCeiling
3470 Deficits Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:DeficitInPlan
3471 Surpluses Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:SurplusInPlan
3472 Net deficits on pension plans Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:SurplusDeficitInPlan
3473 Unfunded post-retirement healthcare obligation Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitObligationAtPresentValue
3474 102550 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of funding policy and contributions to plans (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfFundingPolicyAndContributionsToPlansDetail
3475 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3476 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3477 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3478 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3479 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3480 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3481 Contributions to defined benefit plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3482 Contributions to defined contribution plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ContributionsToDefinedContributionPlans
3483 Contributions to industry-wide plans Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ContributionsToIndustryWidePlans
3484 Total Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:EmployerContributions
3485 102560 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of movement in net defined benefit liability (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMovementInNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityDetail
3486 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3487 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3488 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3489 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3490 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3491 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3492 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3493 Amounts recognised in Income statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PostemploymentBenefitExpenseDefinedBenefitPlans
3494 Amounts recognised in Other comprehensive income Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:OtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxGainsLossesOnRemeasurementsOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3495 Contributions by employer Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3496 Arrangements divested Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlansArrangementsDivested
3497 Currency exchange rate (loss)/gain Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3498 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3499 102570 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of movement in present value of obligation (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMovementInPresentValueOfObligationDetail
3500 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3501 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
3502 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member] Member ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
3503 Present value of defined benefit obligation [Member] Member ifrs-full:PresentValueOfDefinedBenefitObligationMember
3504 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3505 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3506 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3507 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3508 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3509 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3510 Current employer service costs Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:CurrentServiceCostNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3511 Past service (cost)/income Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:PastServiceCostIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3512 Curtailment gains Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:GainsLossesArisingFromCurtailmentsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3513 Settlements Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:GainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3514 Interest Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3515 Contributions by plan participants Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByPlanParticipantsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3516 Benefits paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:BenefitsPaidOrPayable
3517 Experience gains Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromExperienceAdjustmentsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3518 Actuarial losses to equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInFinancialAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3519 Changes in demographic assumptions gain/(loss) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ActuarialGainsLossesArisingFromChangesInDemographicAssumptionsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3520 Arrangements divested Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlansArrangementsDivested
3521 Currency exchange rate (loss)/gain Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3522 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3523 102580 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of movement in plan assets (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMovementInPlanAssetsDetail
3524 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

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*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3525 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
3526 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member] Member ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
3527 Plan assets [Member] Member ifrs-full:PlanAssetsMember
3528 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3529 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3530 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3531 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3532 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3533 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3534 Settlements Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:GainsLossesArisingFromSettlementsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3535 Interest Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3536 Contributions by plan participants Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByPlanParticipantsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3537 Contributions by employer Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ContributionsToPlanByEmployerNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3538 Benefits paid Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:BenefitsPaidOrPayable
3539 Non-investment expenses Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:PaymentsFromPlanNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3540 Return on plan assets (net of interest on assets) Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ReturnOnPlanAssetsNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3541 Arrangements divested Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlansArrangementsDivested
3542 Currency exchange rate (loss)/gain Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3543 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3544 102590 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of movement in effect of the asset ceiling (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMovementInEffectOfAssetCeilingDetail
3545 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetTable
3546 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [axis] Axis ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAxis
3547 Net defined benefit liability (asset) [member] Member ifrs-full:NetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetMember
3548 Effect of asset ceiling [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfAssetCeilingMember
3549 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3550 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3551 Pension benefits [member] Member rio:DefinedBenefitPensionPlansMember
3552 Other Benefits [member] Member rio:OtherDefinedBenefitPlansMember
3553 Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetLineItems
3554 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3555 Interest Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:InterestExpenseIncomeNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3556 Movement in the effect of the asset ceiling Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:GainLossOnChangesInEffectOfLimitingNetDefinedBenefitAssetToAssetCeiling
3557 Arrangements divested and other transfers Concept (Monetary) For Period rio:ArrangementsDivestedAndOtherTransfers
3558 Currency exchange rate (loss)/gain Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseThroughChangesInForeignExchangeRatesNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAsset
3559 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:LiabilityAssetOfDefinedBenefitPlans
3560 102600 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of main assumptions rate for valuations of plans (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMainAssumptionsRateForValuationsOfPlansDetail
3561 Disclosure Of Defined Benefit Plans [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansTable
3562 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
3563 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
3564 Canada [Member] Member country:CA
3565 United Kingdom [Member] Member country:GB
3566 United States [Member] Member country:US
3567 Switzerland [member] Member country:CH
3568 Disclosure of defined benefit plans [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfDefinedBenefitPlansLineItems
3569 Discount rate Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRates
3570 Inflation Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfInflation
3571 Rate of increase in pensions Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfPensionIncreases
3572 Rate of increase in salaries Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfSalaryIncreases
3573 102610 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Summary of main assumptions rate for valuations of plans (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsSummaryOfMainAssumptionsRateForValuationsOfPlansParentheticalDetail
3574 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
3575 Disclosure Of Net Defined Benefit Liability Asset [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfNetDefinedBenefitLiabilityAssetAbstract
3576 Assumption for the consumer price index Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:OtherMaterialActuarialAssumptions
3577 102620 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Results summary of sensitivity analysis (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsResultsSummaryOfSensitivityAnalysisDetail
3578 Disclosure Of Sensitivity Analysis For Actuarial Assumptions [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsTable
3579 Actuarial assumptions [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsAxis
3580 Actuarial assumptions [member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsMember
3581 Actuarial assumption of discount rates [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRatesMember
3582 Actuarial assumption of expected rates of inflation [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfInflationMember
3583 Actuarial assumption of expected rates of salary increases [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfSalaryIncreasesMember
3584 Actuarial assumption of allowance for future improvements in longevity [member] Member rio:ActuarialAssumptionOfAllowanceForFutureImprovementsInLongevityMember
3585 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3586 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3587 Pensions [member] Member rio:PensionsMember
3588 Other retirement benefits [Member] Member rio:OtherRetirementBenefitsMember
3589 Disclosure Of Sensitivity Analysis For Actuarial Assumptions [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsLineItems
3590 Increase of actuarial assumption Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInActuarialAssumption
3591 Decrease of actuarial assumption Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseInDefinedBenefitObligationDueToReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
3592 102630 - Disclosure - Post-retirement benefits - Results summary of sensitivity analysis (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePostRetirementBenefitsResultsSummaryOfSensitivityAnalysisParentheticalDetail
3593 Disclosure Of Sensitivity Analysis For Actuarial Assumptions [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsTable
3594 Actuarial assumptions [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsAxis
3595 Actuarial assumptions [member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionsMember
3596 Actuarial assumption of discount rates [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfDiscountRatesMember
3597 Actuarial assumption of expected rates of inflation [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfInflationMember
3598 Actuarial assumption of expected rates of salary increases [Member] Member ifrs-full:ActuarialAssumptionOfExpectedRatesOfSalaryIncreasesMember
3599 Actuarial assumption of allowance for future improvements in longevity [member] Member rio:ActuarialAssumptionOfAllowanceForFutureImprovementsInLongevityMember
3600 Defined benefit plans [axis] Axis ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansAxis
3601 Defined benefit plans [member] Member ifrs-full:DefinedBenefitPlansMember
3602 Pensions [member] Member rio:PensionsMember
3603 Other retirement benefits [Member] Member rio:OtherRetirementBenefitsMember
3604 Disclosure Of Sensitivity Analysis For Actuarial Assumptions [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSensitivityAnalysisForActuarialAssumptionsLineItems
3605 Increase of percentage points Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInActuarialAssumption
3606 Decrease of percentage points Concept (Percent) As Of ifrs-full:PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInActuarialAssumption
3607 Increase in actuarial assumption of longevity trend Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:IncreaseInActuarialAssumptionOfLongevityTrendRates
3608 Decrease in actuarial assumption of longevity trend Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:DecreaseInActuarialAssumptionOfLongevityTrendRates
3609 102640 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Schedule of impact on equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto due to adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearScheduleOfImpactOnEquityAttributableToOwnersOfRioTintoDueToAdoptionOfIFRS9AndIFRS15Detail
3610 Disclosure Of Initial Application Of Standards Or Interpretations [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsTable
3611 Retrospective application and retrospective restatement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RetrospectiveApplicationAndRetrospectiveRestatementAxis
3612 Currently stated [member] Member ifrs-full:RestatedMember
3613 Previously Stated [Member] Member ifrs-full:PreviouslyStatedMember
3614 Increase (decrease) due to changes in accounting policy required by IFRSs [Member] Member ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseDueToChangesInAccountingPolicyRequiredByIFRSsMember
3615 Initially applied IFRSs [axis] Axis ifrs-full:InitiallyAppliedIFRSsAxis
3616 Initially applied IFRSs [member] Member ifrs-full:InitiallyAppliedIFRSsMember
3617 IFRS 9 [member] Member rio:IFRS9Member
3618 IFRS 15 [member] Member rio:IFRS15Member
3619 Disclosure of initial application of standards or interpretations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsLineItems
3620 Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (see Group balance sheet) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
3621 IFRS 9 Impairment provision resulting from application of the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) model and revaluations Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TransitionAdjustmentExpectedCreditLossAfterTax
3622 IFRS 15 De-recognition of receivable arising from uplift transaction Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TransitionAdjustmentDerecogniseReceivableFromUpliftTransaction
3623 102650 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Summary of impact of transition to IFRS 9 on retained earnings (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearSummaryOfImpactOfTransitionToIFRS9OnRetainedEarningsDetail
3624 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
3625 Redesignation [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RedesignationAxis
3626 Redesignated [member] Member ifrs-full:RedesignatedMember
3627 Retained Earnings 1 January 2018 IFRS 9 (Before Restatement for IFRS 15) [Member] Member rio:IFRS9BeforeRestatementForIFRS15Member
3628 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
3629 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
3630 IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationMember
3631 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
3632 Retained earnings Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:RetainedEarnings
3633 Costs of hedging adjustment Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:CostsOfHedgingAdjustment
3634 Reclassification of equity investments from available-for-sale to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassificationOfEquityInvestmentsFromAvailableForSaleToFVPL
3635 Impairment provision resulting from the application of the ECL model Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ImpairmentProvisionResultingFromApplicationOfEclModelPreTax
3636 Tax impact Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TaxImpactOfTransitionToIFRS9
3637 Revaluation of funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:RevaluationOfFunds
3638 Adjustment to retained earnings from adoption of IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018 (sub-total) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:AdjustmentToRetainedEarningsFromAdoptionOfIFRS9
3639 102660 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Summary of financial assets classified into appropriate IFRS 9 categories (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearSummaryOfFinancialAssetsClassifiedIntoAppropriateIFRS9CategoriesDetail
3640 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsTable
3641 Redesignation [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RedesignationAxis
3642 Redesignated [member] Member ifrs-full:RedesignatedMember
3643 IAS 39 Classification Loans Receivable Held To Maturity Member rio:IAS39ClassificationHeldForTradingMember
3644 IAS 39 Classification Loans Receivable Held To Maturity Member rio:IAS39ClassificationAvailableForSaleMember
3645 IAS 39 Classification Loans Receivable Held To Maturity Member rio:IAS39ClassificationLoansReceivableHeldToMaturityMember
3646 Classes of financial assets [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis
3647 Financial assets, class [member] Member ifrs-full:FinancialAssetsMember
3648 Other Investment Including Loans Member rio:OtherInvestmentIncludingLoansMember
3649 Cash and cash equivalents [member] Member rio:CashCashAndCashEquivalentsMember
3650 Trade And Other Receivable Member rio:TradeAndOtherReceivableMember
3651 Investments In Equity Shares And Funds Member rio:InvestmentsInEquitySharesAndFundsMember
3652 Accounting estimates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:AccountingEstimatesAxis
3653 Accounting estimates [member] Member ifrs-full:AccountingEstimatesMember
3654 IAS 39 [member] Member rio:IAS39Member
3655 IFRS 9 [member] Member rio:IFRS9Member
3656 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
3657 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
3658 IFRS 9 Classification Amortised Cost Member rio:IFRS9ClassificationFVPLMember
3659 IFRS 9 Classification Amortised Cost Member rio:IFRS9ClassificationFVOCIMember
3660 IFRS 9 Classification Amortised Cost Member rio:IFRS9ClassificationAmortisedCostMember
3661 Disclosure Of Financial Instruments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
3662 Financial Assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit ifrs-full:FinancialAssets
3663 Reclassification of a financial asset from held to maturity to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassificationOfFinancialAssetsFromHeldToMaturityToFVPL
3664 Reclassifcation of money market funds from amortised cost to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassifcationOfMoneyMarketFundsFromAmortisedCostToFVPL
3665 Reclassifcation of money market funds from amortised cost to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassificationOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesFromAmortisedCostToFVPL
3666 Reclassifcation of money market funds from amortised cost to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassificationOfInvestmentsFromAvailableForSaleToFVPL
3667 Impairment provision resulting from the application of the ECL model Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ImpairmentProvisionResultingFromApplicationOfEclModelPreTax
3668 Revaluation of funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:RevaluationOfFunds
3669 Opening balance – IFRS 9 (including expected credit losses and revaluation of funds) Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:FinancialAssetsIncludingExpectedCreditLosses
3670 102670 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Summary of financial assets classified into appropriate IFRS 9 categories (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearSummaryOfFinancialAssetsClassifiedIntoAppropriateIFRS9CategoriesParentheticalDetail
3671 Implied Table Table

*

*

 implied:Table
3672 Disclosure Of Initial Application Of Standards Or Interpretations [Abstract] Abstract ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsAbstract
3673 Money market funds Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:MoneyMarketFunds
3674 Reclassification of trade and other receivables from amortised cost to FVPL Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:ReclassificationOfTradeAndOtherReceivablesFromAmortisedCostToFVPL
3675 102680 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Summary of retained earnings and reserves (Detail)Disclosure - Other disclosures - Summary of retained earnings and reserves (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearSummaryOfRetainedEarningsAndReservesDetailDisclosureOtherDisclosuresSummaryOfRetainedEarningsAndReservesDetail
3676 Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Table] Table

*

*

 rio:OtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsTable
3677 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
3678 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
3679 Available for sale revaluation reserves [member] Member ifrs-full:ReserveOfGainsAndLossesOnRemeasuringAvailableforsaleFinancialAssetsMember
3680 Effect On FVOCI Reserve [Member] Member rio:EffectOnFVOCIReserveMember
3681 Cost of Hedging Reserve [Member] Member rio:CostsOfHedgingReserveMember
3682 Cash Flow Hedge Reserve [Member] Member rio:CashFlowHedgeReserveMember
3683 Effect on Retained Earnings [Member] Member rio:EffectOnRetainedEarningsMember
3684 Redesignation [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RedesignationAxis
3685 Redesignated [member] Member ifrs-full:RedesignatedMember
3686 IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationMember
3687 Disclosure Of Other Reserves And Retained Earnings [Line Items] LineItems rio:DisclosureOfOtherReservesAndRetainedEarningsLineItems
3688 Beginning balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
3689 Reclassification of equity investments from AfS Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ReclassificationOfEquityInvestmentsFromAfSToFVOCI
3690 Impact of costs of hedging adjustment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:IFRS9ImpactOfCostsOfHedgingAdjustment
3691 Impairment provisions Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ImpairmentProvisionResultingFromApplicationOfEclModelPreTax
3692 Tax impact Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TaxImpactOfTransitionToIFRS9
3693 Re-measurement of funds Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:RemeasurementOfFunds
3694 Total impact Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ImpactOfReserves
3695 Ending balance Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:OtherReserves
3696 102690 - Disclosure - New Standards and Interpretations Adopted in the Current Year - Additional information (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNewStandardsAndInterpretationsAdoptedInCurrentYearAdditionalInformationDetail
3697 Disclosure Of Initial Application Of Standards Or Interpretations [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsTable
3698 Effect of overlay approach reclassification [axis] Axis ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationAxis
3699 In accordance with IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:InAccordanceWithIFRS9Member
3700 IFRS 9 [member] Member ifrs-full:EffectOfOverlayApproachReclassificationMember
3701 Range [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RangeAxis
3702 Ranges [member] Member ifrs-full:RangesMember
3703 Bottom of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:BottomOfRangeMember
3704 Top of range [Member] Member ifrs-full:TopOfRangeMember
3705 Components of equity [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ComponentsOfEquityAxis
3706 Equity [member] Member ifrs-full:EquityMember
3707 Retained earnings [Member] Member ifrs-full:RetainedEarningsMember
3708 Retrospective application and retrospective restatement [axis] Axis ifrs-full:RetrospectiveApplicationAndRetrospectiveRestatementAxis
3709 Currently stated [member] Member ifrs-full:RestatedMember
3710 Increase (decrease) due to changes in accounting policy required by IFRSs [Member] Member ifrs-full:IncreaseDecreaseDueToChangesInAccountingPolicyRequiredByIFRSsMember
3711 Disclosure of initial application of standards or interpretations [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfInitialApplicationOfStandardsOrInterpretationsLineItems
3712 Reclassification of retained earnings to cost of hedging reserve Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ReclassificationOfRetainedEarningsToCostOfHedgingReserveFirstApplicationOfIFRS9
3713 Reclassification of cash flow hedge reserve to cost of hedging reserve Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ReclassificationOfCashFlowHedgeReserveToCostOfHedgingReserveFirstApplicationOfIFRS9
3714 Impairment provision resulting from the application of the ECL model Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:ImpairmentProvisionResultingFromApplicationOfEclModelPreTax
3715 Period to determine final prices for copper concentrate Concept (xbrli:durationItemType) For Period rio:ExpectedPeriodToDetermineFinalPricesForCopper
3716 De-recognition of receivable arising from uplift transaction Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TransitionAdjustmentDerecogniseReceivableFromUpliftTransaction
3717 Transition adjustment reduction in trade and other receivables Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit rio:TransitionAdjustmentReductionInTradeAndOtherReceivables
3718 Transition adjustment reduction in deferred tax liabilities Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:TransitionAdjustmentReductionInDeferredTaxLiabilities
3719 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
3720 102700 - Disclosure - Rio Tinto financial information by business unit - Schedule of financial information by business unit (Detail) Network

*

*

 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRioTintoFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitScheduleOfFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitDetail
3721 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

*

*

 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
3722 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
3723 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
3724 Pilbara [member] Member rio:PilbaraMember
3725 Rio Tinto Kennecott [Member] Member rio:RioTintoKennecottMember
3726 Escondida [Member] Member rio:EscondidaMember
3727 Rio Tinto Coal Australia Member rio:RioTintoCoalAustraliaMember
3728 Iron Ore Company of Canada [member] Member rio:IronOreCompanyOfCanadaMember
3729 Rio Tinto Iron Titanium Member rio:RioTintoIronTitaniumMember
3730 Rio Tinto Borates [Member] Member rio:RioTintoBoratesMember
3731 Dampier Salt [member] Member rio:DampierSaltMember
3732 Simandou Iron Ore Project Member rio:SimandouIronOreProjectMember
3733 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
3734 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
3735 Grasberg Joint Venture Member rio:GrasbergJointVentureMember
3736 Associates [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInAssociatesAxis
3737 Entity's total for associates [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForAssociatesMember
3738 Oyu Tolgoi and Turquoise Hill [Member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiTurquoiseHillMember
3739 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
3740 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
3741 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
3742 Inter-segment transactions [Member] Member ifrs-full:EliminationOfIntersegmentAmountsMember
3743 Product group [Member] Member rio:ProductGroupMember
3744 Central pension costs, share-based payments and insurance [Member] Member rio:CentralPensionCostsSharebasedPaymentsInsuranceMember
3745 Restructuring, Project and One-Off Costs [Member] Member rio:RestructuringProjectAndOneOffCostsMember
3746 Central Costs [Member] Member rio:CentralCostsMember
3747 Exploration and evaluation [Member] Member rio:ExplorationAndEvaluationMember
3748 Net interest [Member] Member rio:NetInterestMember
3749 Underlying earnings [member] Member rio:UnderlyingEarningsMember
3750 Items excluded from underlying earnings [Member] Member rio:ItemsExcludedFromUnderlyingEarningsMember
3751 EBITDA and Net Earnings [Member] Member rio:EBITDAAndNetEarningsMember
3752 Share of equity accounted units and adjustments [Member] Member rio:ShareOfEquityAccountedUnitsAndAdjustmentsMember
3753 Other items [Member] Member rio:OtherItemsMember
3754 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
3755 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
3756 Iron Ore [Member] Member rio:IronOreMember
3757 Aluminium [Member] Member rio:AluminiumMember
3758 Copper & Diamonds [member] Member rio:CopperAndDiamondsMember
3759 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
3760 Other operations [Member] Member rio:OtherOperationsMember
3761 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
3762 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
3763 Evaluation projects/other [Member] Member rio:EvaluationProjectsOtherMember
3764 Bauxite [Member] Member rio:BauxiteMember
3765 Alumina [Member] Member rio:AluminaMember
3766 Bauxite & Alumina [Member] Member rio:BauxiteAndAluminaMember
3767 Primary Metal [Member] Member rio:PrimaryMetalMember
3768 Pacific Aluminium [Member] Member rio:PacificAluminiumMember
3769 Integrated operations [Member] Member rio:IntegratedOperationsMember
3770 Other product group items [Member] Member rio:OtherProductGroupItemsMember
3771 Product group operations [Member] Member rio:ProductGroupOperationsMember
3772 Diamonds [member] Member rio:DiamondsMember
3773 Uranium [Member] Member rio:UraniumMember
3774 Elimination Axis rio:EliminationAxis
3775 Elimination Member Member rio:EliminationMember
3776 Intrasegment [Member] Member rio:IntrasegmentMember
3777 Inter-segment and other [Member] Member rio:IntersegmentAndOtherMember
3778 Integrated operations [Member] Member rio:IntegratedOperationsMember
3779 Other product group items [Member] Member rio:OtherProductGroupItemsMember
3780 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale [axis] Axis ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSaleAxis
3781 Assets and liabilities not classified as held for sale [member] Member ifrs-full:AssetsAndLiabilitiesNotClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
3782 Net assets/(liabilities) of disposal groups held for sale [Member] Member ifrs-full:DisposalGroupsClassifiedAsHeldForSaleMember
3783 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
3784 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
3785 Consolidated sales revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:Revenue
3786 Adjustment for equity accounted units revenue Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:AdjustmentForEquityAccountedUnitsRevenue
3787 Proft on ordinary activities before finance items and tax Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:ProfitBeforeFinanceItemsAndTaxation
3788 Depreciation & amortisation in subsidiaries excluding capitalised depreciation Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:AdjustmentsForDepreciationAndAmortisationExpenseExcludingCapitalisedDepreciation
3789 Impairment charges Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ImpairmentLossRecognisedInProfitOrLoss
3790 Depreciation and amortisation in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:DepreciationAndAmortisationOfEquityAccountedUnits
3791 Taxation and finance items in equity accounted units Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:TaxAndFinanceItemsInEquityAccountedUnits
3792 Net earnings Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:ProfitLossAttributableToOwnersOfParent
3793 Capital expenditure Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit rio:PurchaseLessDisposalOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsEvaluationCosts
3794 Depreciation and amortisation expense proportionately consolidated Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:DepreciationAndAmortisationExpense
3795 Operating assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OperatingAssets
3796 Number of employees Concept (Decimal) As Of ifrs-full:NumberOfEmployees
3797 Pre-tax gains on disposals of property, plant and equipment Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:GainsOnDisposalsOfPropertyPlantAndEquipment
3798 Capital expenditure per cash flow statement Concept (Monetary) For Period Credit ifrs-full:PurchaseOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillInvestmentPropertyAndOtherNoncurrentAssets
3799 Net cash/(debt) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:NetDebt
3800 Less: EAU funded balances excluded from net debt Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:EAUFundedBalancesExcludedFromNetDebt
3801 Equity attributable to owners of Rio Tinto (see Group balance sheet) Concept (Monetary) As Of Credit ifrs-full:EquityAttributableToOwnersOfParent
3802 102710 - Disclosure - Rio Tinto financial information by business unit - Schedule of financial information by business unit (Parenthetical) (Detail) Network

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 http://www.riotinto.com/20181231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRioTintoFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitScheduleOfFinancialInformationByBusinessUnitParentheticalDetail
3803 Disclosure Of Operating Segments [Table] Table

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 ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsTable
3804 Subsidiaries [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SignificantInvestmentsInSubsidiariesAxis
3805 Entity's total for subsidiaries [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSubsidiariesMember
3806 Hamersley Iron Pty Limited [member] Member rio:HamersleyIronPtyLimitedMember
3807 Oyu Tolgoi LLC [member] Member rio:OyuTolgoiLlcMember
3808 Argyle Diamonds Limited [member] Member rio:ArgyleDiamondsLimitedMember
3809 Coal & Allied Industries Limited [member] Member rio:CoalAndAlliedIndustriesLimitedMember
3810 Rio Tinto Coal Australia Member rio:RioTintoCoalAustraliaMember
3811 Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. [member] Member rio:RioTintoFerEtTitaneIncMember
3812 QIT Madagascar Minerals SA [member] Member rio:QitMadagascarMineralsSaMember
3813 Richards Bay Minerals [member] Member rio:RichardsBayMineralsMember
3814 Energy Resources of Australia Limited [Member] Member rio:EnergyResourcesOfAustraliaLtdMember
3815 Rossing Uranium [member] Member rio:RossingUraniumLimitedMember
3816 China national uranium corporation limited [member] Member rio:ChinaNationalUraniumCorporationLimitedMember
3817 Simfer Jersey Limited [member] Member rio:SimferJerseyLimitedMember
3818 Simfer S.A. [member] Member rio:SimferSaMember
3819 Gove Alumina Refinery and Rio Tinto Marine [Member] Member rio:GoveAluminaRefineryAndRioTintoMarineMember
3820 Business combinations [axis] Axis ifrs-full:BusinessCombinationsAxis
3821 Entity's total for business combinations [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForBusinessCombinationsMember
3822 30 Percent [Member] Member rio:ThirtyPercentMember
3823 35 Percent [Member] Member rio:ThirtyFivePercentageMember
3824 Joint ventures [axis] Axis ifrs-full:JointVenturesAxis
3825 Entity's total for joint ventures [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForJointVenturesMember
3826 Hope Downs Joint Venture [member] Member rio:HopeDownsJointVentureMember
3827 Robe river iron associates [member] Member rio:RobeRiverIronAssociatesMember
3828 Freeport-McMoRan Inc [Member] Member rio:FreeportMcMoRanIncMember
3829 Diavik Joint Venture [member] Member rio:DiavikJointVentureMember
3830 Hail Creek [Member] Member rio:HailCreekJointVentureMember
3831 Kestrel Underground Coal Mine [Member] Member rio:KestrelJointVentureMember
3832 Winchester South [Member] Member rio:WinchesterSouthMember
3833 Valeria Development Projects [Member] Member rio:ValeriaMember
3834 Kestrel Underground Coal Mine [Member] Member rio:KestrelMember
3835 Legal Entity Axis dei:LegalEntityAxis
3836 Entity Member dei:EntityDomain
3837 Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd [member] Member rio:TurquoiseHillResourcesLtdMember
3838 Products and services [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesAxis
3839 Products and services [member] Member ifrs-full:ProductsAndServicesMember
3840 Oyo Tolgoi Copper-Gold Mine [Member] Member rio:OyoTolgoiCopperGoldMineMember
3841 Mount Pleasant Thermal Coal Project [Member] Member rio:MountPleasantProjectMember
3842 Geographical areas [axis] Axis ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasAxis
3843 Geographical areas [member] Member ifrs-full:GeographicalAreasMember
3844 Australia [Member] Member country:AU
3845 Segment consolidation items [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentConsolidationItemsAxis
3846 Entity's total for segment consolidation items [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForSegmentConsolidationItemsMember
3847 Reportable segments [Member] Member ifrs-full:ReportableSegmentsMember
3848 Segments [axis] Axis ifrs-full:SegmentsAxis
3849 Segments [member] Member ifrs-full:SegmentsMember
3850 Energy & Minerals [Member] Member rio:EnergyAndMineralsMember
3851 Classes of share capital [axis] Axis ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalAxis
3852 Share capital [member] Member ifrs-full:ClassesOfShareCapitalMember
3853 Ordinary shares [Member] Member ifrs-full:OrdinarySharesMember
3854 Categories of related parties [axis] Axis ifrs-full:CategoriesOfRelatedPartiesAxis
3855 Entity's total for related parties [member] Member ifrs-full:EntitysTotalForRelatedPartiesMember
3856 MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd [Member] Member rio:MACHEnergyAustraliaPtyLtdMember
3857 Disclosure of operating segments [Line Items] LineItems ifrs-full:DisclosureOfOperatingSegmentsLineItems
3858 Ownership percentage in subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiary
3859 Percentage of ownership interest exchanged in joint venture Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointVenture
3860 Proportion of net beneficial interest Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfNetBeneficialInterest
3861 Net beneficial interest held percentage Concept (Percent) For Period rio:NetBeneficialInterestHeldPercentage
3862 Net beneficial interest held percentage as owned subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period rio:NetBeneficialInterestHeldPercentageAsOwnedSubsidiary
3863 Proceeds from sale of surplus land Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ProceedsFromSaleOfLand
3864 Percentage of material mined Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfMaterialMined
3865 Percentage of share class held in subsidiaries Concept (Percent) For Period rio:PercentageOfShareClassHeldInSubsidiaries
3866 Ownership interest in joint venture disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInJointventureDisposed
3867 Proceeds from disposal of ownership in joint venture Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit rio:ProportionOfOwnershipAmountInJointVentureDisposed
3868 Proportion Of Ownership Interest In Subsidiary Disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInSubsidiaryDisposed
3869 Proceeds from issue of equity to non-controlling interests Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromChangesInOwnershipInterestsInSubsidiaries
3870 Operating assets Concept (Monetary) As Of Debit rio:OperatingAssets
3871 Non-controlling interest (%), Subsidiary Concept (Percent) For Period ifrs-full:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestsHeldByNoncontrollingInterests
3872 Capital expenditure percentage of subsidiaries Concept (Percent) For Period rio:CapitalExpenditurePercentageOfSubsidiaries
3873 Proceeds from disposal capital expenditure Concept (Monetary) For Period Debit ifrs-full:ProceedsFromDisposalOfMiningAssets
3874 Ownership interest in cash generating units disposed Concept (Percent) For Period rio:ProportionOfOwnershipInterestInCashGeneratingUnitsDisposed

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