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Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Deep Gold Mine Year | Dec. 31, 2011 South Deep Gold Mine Year 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Deep Gold Mine Year 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Deep Gold Mine After fiscal 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Africa Rand South Deep Gold Mine Year 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Africa Rand South Deep Gold Mine Year 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 South Africa Rand South Deep Gold Mine After fiscal 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Dollar South Deep Gold Mine Year 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Dollar South Deep Gold Mine Year 2013 | Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. Dollar South Deep Gold Mine After fiscal 2013
Goodwill [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term gold price |  |  |  |  |  | 400,000 | 385,000 | 375,000 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,500
Exchange rate |  |  | R7.32 to $1.00 | R7.48 to $1.00 | R7.78 to $1.00 |  |  |  |  |  |
South Deep life of mine (in years) |  | 69 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate, based on a calculated weighted average cost of capital to Gold Fields, lower limit | 5.10% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Discount rate, based on a calculated weighted average cost of capital to Gold Fields, upper limit | 6.20% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Description of Exchange Rate + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Discount Rate Used in Goodwill Impairment Testing, Lower Limit + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Discount Rate Used in Goodwill Impairment Testing, Upper Limit + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Long term gold price + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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- Definition The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References No definition available. + Details
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