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Discontinued Operations, Disposal of Chucapaca and Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |
Total distribution amount |  | $ 1,033.7 gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssetValueDistributed
Canteras Del Hallazgo | Chucapaca |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |
Percentage of stake sold | 51.00%gfi_PercentageOfOwnershipInterestSold / dei_LegalEntityAxis = gfi_CanterasDelHallazgoMember / us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis = gfi_ChucapacaMember |
Sibanye Gold Limited [Member] |  |
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] |  |
Total distribution amount |  | $ 1,033.7 gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssetValueDistributed / dei_LegalEntityAxis = gfi_SibanyeGoldLimitedMember

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- Definition The net asset value of a disposal group, including discontinued operations distributed. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Percentage of ownership interest sold. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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- Details
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- Details
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