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Acquisition and Disposal of Businesses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended |  | 1 Months Ended |  |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Jun. 22, 2011 Ghana | Dec. 31, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company | Dec. 31, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit Liberty Express Assets | Dec. 31, 2012 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit Liberty Express Assets | Dec. 31, 2011 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit Liberty Express Assets | Mar. 31, 2012 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit Liberty Express Assets | Sep. 30, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines | Sep. 20, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines | Sep. 30, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company | Dec. 31, 2012 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines Liberty Express Assets | Dec. 31, 2011 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines Liberty Express Assets | Dec. 31, 2010 Far Southeast (FSE) Deposit The Philippines Liberty Express Assets | Dec. 31, 2011 Mankayan Project-Bezant Resources The Philippines | Jan. 31, 2014 Mankayan Project-Bezant Resources The Philippines Subsequent Event | Jun. 22, 2011 IAMGold Corporation Ghana | Jun. 21, 2010 IAMGold Corporation Ghana | Jun. 22, 2011 Damang Ghana | Jun. 21, 2010 Damang Ghana | Jun. 22, 2011 Tarkwa Mine Ghana | Mar. 22, 2011 Gold Fields La Cima | Dec. 31, 2012 Gold Fields La Cima | Mar. 21, 2011 Gold Fields La Cima
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Terms of option agreement to acquire undeveloped gold-copper Far Southeast (FSE) deposit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18 months |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Option purchased to acquire share capital of Asean, non-refundable fee paid |  |  |  | $ 10.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 10.0 |  |  |  | $ 7.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pre-agreed acquisition price for a 60% interest in FSE, non-refundable down payment |  |  |  |  | 44.0 | 110.0 | 66.0 |  |  |  |  | 110.0 | 66.0 | 44.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pre-agreed acquisition price for a 60% interest in FSE |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 110.0 |  |  |  | 110.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage to acquire undeveloped gold-copper Far Southeast (FSE) deposit under option agreement with Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company and Liberty Express Assets |  |  |  |  | 60.00% |  |  |  | 60.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pre-agreed acquisition price for a 60% interest in FSE |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 340.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Option purchased to acquire share capital of Asean, exercise price |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 63.0 | 60.5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Option purchased to acquire share capital of Asean, expiration date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Jan. 31, 2013 | Jan. 31, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of ownership interest acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18.90% |  | 18.90% |  |  |  | 0.10% |
Business acquisition amount of cash consideration | $ 10.8 | $ 1,055.6 | $ 667.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 382.0 | $ 0.8 |
Percentage of ownership interest subject to acquisition or disposal agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 90.00% | 71.10% | 90.00% | 71.10% |  |  |  |
Ownership interest held by government of Ghana |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 10.00% |  | 10.00% |  |  |
Percentage of effective economic interest |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 98.50% |  | 80.70%

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