XML 162 R115.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Reconciliation of Total Liability for Environmental Rehabilitation (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Oct. 01, 2013
Provision for environmental rehabilitation |  |  |
Opening balance | $ 269.2 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent | $ 373.6 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent |
Addition to liabilities - continuing operations | 36.7 gfi_AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimateContinuingOperations | 10.3 gfi_AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimateContinuingOperations |
Liabilities settled - continuing operations | (2.8)us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLiabilitiesSettled | (2.5)us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLiabilitiesSettled |
Accretion of liability - continuing operations | 15.4 gfi_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpenseContinuingOperations | 10.4 gfi_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpenseContinuingOperations |
Accretion of liability - discontinued operations |  | 2.2 gfi_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpenseDiscontinuingOperations |
Barrick Yilgarn asset purchase |  | 55.0 gfi_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedEnvironmentalRehabilitationProvision | 55.0 gfi_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedEnvironmentalRehabilitationProvision
Disposal of discontinued operations |  | (154.9)gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetRetirementObligation |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (18.4)us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationForeignCurrencyTranslation | (24.9)us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationForeignCurrencyTranslation |
Closing balance | $ 300.1 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent | $ 269.2 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent |

X
- Definition Amount of accretion expense for continuing operations, which includes, but is not limited to, accretion expense from asset retirement obligations, environmental remediation obligations, and other contingencies. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpenseContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of accretion expense for discontinuing operations, which includes, but is not limited to, accretion expense from asset retirement obligations, environmental remediation obligations, and other contingencies. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpenseDiscontinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the Increase or Decrease in the amount of the asset retirement obligation of continuing operations during the current period for changes in the amount or timing of the estimated cash flows associated with the settlement of the obligation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_AssetRetirementObligationRevisionOfEstimateContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Environmental Rehabilitation Provision + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedEnvironmentalRehabilitationProvision
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Disposal group including discontinued operation asset retirement obligation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetRetirementObligation
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of the Increase or Decrease in the amount of asset retirement obligations for the period associated with foreign currency translation (to the extent that the entity accounts for the foreign currency effects as a separate component of the change in the liability). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationForeignCurrencyTranslation
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of asset retirement obligations settled, or otherwise disposed of, during the period. This may include asset retirement obligations transferred to third parties associated with the sale of a long-lived asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationLiabilitiesSettled
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationsNoncurrentAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of a reclamation and mine closing liability that is associated with a legal obligation for the closure and reclamation of a mine including the removal of buildings, equipment, machinery and other physical remnants of mining, closure of tailings impoundments, leach pads and other mine features, and contouring, covering and revegetation of waste rock piles and other disturbed areas. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant