Unredeemed Capital Expenditure and Tax Loss Carry Forwards (Detail) (South African Mining Operations, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Unredeemed capital expenditure	$ 2,609.7	$ 1,657.8
Gold Fields Operations
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Unredeemed capital expenditure	724.3	608.4
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Unredeemed capital expenditure	$ 1,885.4	$ 1,049.4

The amount of the tax credit carryforward, before tax effects, available to reduce future taxable income under enacted tax laws.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 48

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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