Exchange Gains (Losses) On Us Dollar External Debt And Intra Group Exchange Gains (Losses) On Us Dollar External Debt And Intra Group Cortez Royalty [Member] Cortez Royalty Utilisation Of Provisions For Other Provisions (Including Onerous Contracts And Legal Disputes) Utilisation Of Provisions For Other Provisions (Including Onerous Contracts And Legal Disputes) Not Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member] Not Designated As Hedging Instrument Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax Costs Of Hedging Other Comprehensive Income Before Tax Costs Of Hedging Total Net Outflows In Iron Ore Project Total Net Outflows In Iron Ore Project Currency Translation Gain (Charge) Arising On Dual Listed Companies Share Capital Currency Translation Gain (Charge) Arising On Dual Listed Companies Share Capital Finance income (cost) Adjustments For Gain (Loss) Recognised On Measurement To Fair Value Of Business Combination And Disposal Disposal Of Assets Or Disposal Groups Constituting Discontinued Operation Adjustments For Gain (Loss) Recognised On Measurement To Fair Value Of Business Combination And Disposal Disposal Of Assets Or Disposal Groups Constituting Discontinued Operation Simandou Iron Ore Project [Member] Simandou Iron Ore Project Utilisation Of Provisions For Post-Retirement Benefits And Other Employment Costs Utilisation Of Provisions For Post-Retirement Benefits And Other Employment Costs Gain (Loss) Recognised On Measurement To Fair Value Of Business Combination And Disposal Disposal Of Assets Or Disposal Groups Constituting Discontinued Operation Gain (Loss) Recognised On Measurement To Fair Value Of Business Combination And Disposal Disposal Of Assets Or Disposal Groups Constituting Discontinued Operation Cash Flows From Used In Consolidated Operations Cash Flows From Used In Consolidated Operations Cash flows from (used in) operating activities Adjustments For Unrealised Gain (Loss) On Royalty Adjustments For Unrealised Gain (Loss) On Royalty Description Of Accounting Policy For Impact Of Climate Change On The Group [Text Block] Description Of Accounting Policy For Impact Of Climate Change On The Group Current Provisions For Employee Benefits And Other Employment Costs Current Provisions For Employee Benefits And Other Employment Costs Cash flows from (used in) financing activities Disclosure Of Close-Down, Restoration And Environmental Obligations [Text Block] Disclosure Of Close-Down, Restoration And Environmental Obligations Non-Current Provisions For Employee Benefits And Other Employment Costs Non-Current Provisions For Employee Benefits And Other Employment Costs Change In Fair Value Of Equity Investments At Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income Change In Fair Value Of Equity Investments At Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income Net Operating Expenses Net Operating Expenses Cash flows before financing activities1 Cash flows before financing activities1 Cash flows before financing activities1 Description Of Accounting Policy Of Reconciliation With Australian Accounting Standards [Text Block] Description Of Accounting Policy Of Reconciliation With Australian Accounting Standards Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table] Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table] Cash flows from (used in) investing activities Fixed Income Instruments [Member] Fixed Income Instruments Expense Due To Unwinding Of Discount On Provisions And Receivables Expense Due To Unwinding Of Discount On Provisions And Receivables Share Capital – Rio Tinto Limited Share Capital – Rio Tinto Limited Winning Consortium Simandou Railway Pte. Ltd and Winning Consortium Simandou Ports Pte. Ltd [Member] Winning Consortium Simandou Railway Pte. Ltd and Winning Consortium Simandou Ports Pte. Ltd Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents after effect of exchange rate changes Adjustments for finance income (cost) Property, Plant And Equipment Including Right-Of-Use Assets Property, Plant And Equipment Including Right-Of-Use Assets Adjustments For Impairment Charges Of Investments In Equity Accounted Units After Tax Adjustments For Impairment Charges Of Investments In Equity Accounted Units After Tax Increase (Decrease) Through Transfers And Other Changes, Noncontrolling Interests Increase (Decrease) Through Transfers And Other Changes, Noncontrolling Interests Share Capital – Rio Tinto plc Share Capital – Rio Tinto plc Cash flows from (used in) operations Utilisation Of Provisions For Close Down And Restoration Utilisation Of Provisions For Close Down And Restoration Impairment Loss Of Equity Accounted Unit Recognised In Profit Or Loss, After Tax Impairment Loss Of Equity Accounted Unit Recognised In Profit Or Loss, After Tax Assets (liabilities) Profit before finance items and taxation1 Profit before finance items and taxation1 Profit before finance items and taxation1 Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Line Items] Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Line Items]