Exchange Gains (Losses) On Us Dollar External Debt And Intra Group Exchange Gains (Losses) On Us Dollar External Debt And Intra Group 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 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 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 Adjustments for finance income (cost) Cash Flows Used In Obtaining Equity Accounted Unit Cash Flows Used In Obtaining Equity Accounted Unit 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 Cash flows from (used in) financing activities 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) investing activities 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 Disclosure Of Close-Down, Restoration And Environmental Obligations [Text Block] Disclosure Of Close-Down, Restoration And Environmental Obligations Cash flows from (used in) operating activities 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 Finance income (cost) Net Operating Expenses Net Operating Expenses Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents after effect of exchange rate changes 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] 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 Cash flows from (used in) operations 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 Assets (liabilities) Share Capital – Rio Tinto plc Share Capital – Rio Tinto plc Utilisation Of Provisions For Close Down And Restoration Utilisation Of Provisions For Close Down And Restoration 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]