The discount rate applied to cash flow projections for a cash-generating unit (group of units). [Refer: Cash-generating units [member]]

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

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount of assets representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognised. [Refer: Business combinations [member]]

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The amount recognised as a reduction of the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit to its recoverable amount. [Refer: Carrying amount [member]]

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The amount of impairment loss recognised in profit or loss for goodwill. [Refer: Impairment loss recognised in profit or loss; Goodwill]

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The amount of provision for onerous contracts. An onerous contract is a contract in which the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligation under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it. [Refer: Other provisions]

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The amount recognised as an increase of the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit to its recoverable amount when an impairment loss had been previously recognised. [Refer: Impairment loss]

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Impairment and onerous contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Impairment and onerous contracts
Onerous contracts provision	$ 393		$ 257
Non-current assets
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss	184	$ 271	917
Onerous contracts
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss	393		257
Non-current assets and onerous contracts
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss	$ 577	271	1,174
Minimum
Impairment and onerous contracts
Post tax discount rate for future cashflows	6.00%
Maximum
Impairment and onerous contracts
Post tax discount rate for future cashflows	10.00%
Ferrous minerals
Impairment and onerous contracts
Goodwill	$ 1,841
Goodwill impairment	0
Nickel CGU
Impairment and onerous contracts
Goodwill	1,812
Goodwill impairment	0
Iron ore \| North system
Impairment and onerous contracts
Reversal of impairment loss			(160)
Coal \| Australia
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss			27
Base metals \| Stobie
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss		133
Base metals \| Newfoundland (VNL)
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss			631
Base metals \| Vale Nouvelle Caledonie S.A.S.
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss			284
Base metals \| Onca Puma
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss	0
Several segments \| Other assets
Impairment and onerous contracts
Impairment loss	$ 184	$ 138	$ 135