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Tax Years Open for Assessments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Maximum)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
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

The number of years after filing that the tax authorities are allowed to reopen, examine and, if necessary, amend the tax returns.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gfi_IncomeTaxReturnExaminationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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