Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) (ZAR)	Mar. 31, 2008
Randgold and Exploration Summons
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Randgold and Exploration summons, highest claims	12,000,000,000
Randgold and Exploration summons, lowest claims	11,000,000,000
Randgold and Exploration summons, alternative claims	519,000,000
South Deep Gold Mine
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
GFO interest in South Deep Mine	50.00%

Reflects the estimated amount of loss from the specified contingency as of the balance sheet date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant