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Income and Mining Tax Expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Gold Fields Arctic Platinum Oy |  |
Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |
Tax losses available for deduction against future income | $ 95.9 | $ 101.0
Maximum number of years losses can be carried forward | 10 years |
Orogen Investments SA (Luxembourg) |  |
Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |
Tax losses available for deduction against future income | 126.3 | 130.8
Maximum number of years losses can be carried forward | 5 years |
Gold Fields La Cima |  |
Income Taxes [Line Items] |  |
Unredeemed capital expenditure | $ 506.8 | $ 507.9

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