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Tax Years Open for Assessments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Maximum)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
SOUTH AFRICA
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Revenue Authorities tax examination period	3 years
AUSTRALIA
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Revenue Authorities tax examination period	4 years
PERU
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Revenue Authorities tax examination period	4 years

X

- Definition

Income Tax Examination, Years Subject to Examination

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration