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Undiscounted Closure Cost Estimates (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
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Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Reconciliation of closure cost estimate, discount | $ 90.7 gfi_ReconciliationOfClosureCostEstimateDiscount |  | $ 86.0 gfi_ReconciliationOfClosureCostEstimateDiscount |  |
Total closure cost estimate | 390.8 gfi_ProvisionForAssetRetirementObligationsUndiscountedClosureCosts | [1] | 355.2 gfi_ProvisionForAssetRetirementObligationsUndiscountedClosureCosts | [1] |
Provision for environmental rehabilitation | $ 300.1 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent |  | $ 269.2 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent |  | $ 373.6 us-gaap_MineReclamationAndClosingLiabilityNoncurrent
[1] | Includes discounting of $90.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: $86.0 million) in order to reconcile the gross closure cost estimate of $390.8 million (December 31, 2013: $355.2 million) to the provision for environmental rehabilitation of $300.1 million (December 31, 2013: $269.2 million)

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- Details
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- Definition Provision for asset retirement obligations, undiscounted closure costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of discounting in order to reconcile the gross closure cost estimate of to the provision for environmental rehabilitation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- 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
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