XML 159 R143.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Schedule 1 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Valuation allowance, Balance at beginning of year | $ 330.2 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  | $ 324.4 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  | $ 152.4 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |
Valuation allowance reversed |  |  |  |  | (58.2)gfi_ValuationAllowanceReversed | [1]
Valuation allowance raised | 38.3 gfi_ValuationAllowanceRaised | [2] | 1.1 gfi_ValuationAllowanceRaised | [2] |  |
Arising on acquisition/ disposal of subsidiaries |  |  | (5.4)gfi_ValuationAllowancesArisingOnAcquisitionOrDisposalOfSubsidiaries |  |  |
Charged to unredeemed capital expenditure | 59.4 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts |  | 60.2 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts |  | 222.8 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (41.1)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments |  | (50.1)us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments |  | 7.4 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments |
Valuation allowance, Balance at end of year | $ 386.8 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  | $ 330.2 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |  | $ 324.4 us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance |
[1] | During fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the Group reversed a portion of the valuation allowance against unredeemed capital expenditure and net operating losses to the extent that there is sufficient future taxable income. In making this determination, the Group analyzed, amongst other things, the recent history of earnings and cashflows, forecasts of future earnings, the nature and timing of future deductions and benefits represented by deferred tax assets and the cumulative earnings for the last three years.
[2] | During fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, the Group raised a valuation allowance against unredeemed capital expenditure and net operating losses. In making this determination, the Group analyzed, amongst other things, the recent history of earnings and cashflows, forecasts of future earnings, the nature and timing of future deductions and benefits represented by deferred tax assets and the cumulative earnings for the last three years.

X
- Definition Valuation allowance raised. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_ValuationAllowanceRaised
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Valuation allowance reversed. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_ValuationAllowanceReversed
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Valuation allowances arising on acquisition or disposal of subsidiaries. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_ValuationAllowancesArisingOnAcquisitionOrDisposalOfSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of the adjustments in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesAdjustments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, charged to accounts other than costs and expenses in a given period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToOtherAccounts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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