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Depreciation of Non-Mining Assets (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Vehicles |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |
Depreciation rate | 20.00%
Computers |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |
Depreciation rate | 33.30%
Furniture and Equipment |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] |
Depreciation rate | 10.00%

X
- Definition Depreciation Rate + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_DepreciationRate
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration