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Short-Term and Long-Term Loans - Additional Information (Detail)
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Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
Borrowers
USD ($)
Mar. 01, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2014
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Mar. 01, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
ZAR
Sep. 10, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
USD ($)
Jun. 10, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
USD ($)
Mar. 08, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
USD ($)
Sep. 10, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Operations
USD ($)
Jun. 10, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Operations
USD ($)
Mar. 08, 2013
R1,500 million Nedbank revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
USD ($)
Sep. 22, 2010
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Sep. 17, 2010
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Installment
Dec. 31, 2013
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Dec. 19, 2014
$200 million non-revolving senior secured term loan
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Dec. 19, 2014
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
USD ($)
Dec. 19, 2014
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
USD ($)
Jan. 19, 2015
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Subsequent Event
USD ($)
Jan. 19, 2015
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Subsequent Event
USD ($)
Dec. 16, 2014
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Gold Fields La Cima
Dec. 16, 2014
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Gold Fields La Cima
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2010
$1 billion notes issue
Orogen Investments SA (Luxembourg)
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2010
$1 billion notes issue
Orogen Investments SA (Luxembourg)
Dec. 31, 2014
$1 billion notes issue
Sibanye Gold Limited [Member]
Dec. 31, 2010
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2010
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2014
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
USD ($)
May 06, 2014
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 22, 2010
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
Amended Facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Ghana Limited
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
$70 million senior secured revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Ghana Limited
USD ($)
Dec. 22, 2010
Senior Secured Credit Facility Fiscal Year Twenty Twelve [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 22, 2010
Senior Secured Credit Facility Fiscal Year Twenty Thirteen [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Jan. 30, 2013
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Orogen Holding Limited [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Gold Fields Orogen Holding Limited [Member]
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
The US$ Bridge Facility
Borrowers
Nov. 28, 2012
The US$ Bridge Facility
Borrowers
USD ($)
Feb. 15, 2013
$500 million syndicated revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
$500 million syndicated revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
$500 million syndicated revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Jan. 30, 2013
Bridge Facility
Dec. 31, 2014
Condition One
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Dec. 31, 2014
Condition Two
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Dec. 31, 2014
Condition Three [Member]
La Cima Revolving Senior Secured Credit Facility
Feb. 15, 2013
$1 billion syndicated revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2013
$1 billion syndicated revolving credit facility
USD ($)
Feb. 15, 2013
1 billion and 500 million syndicated revolving credit facility
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other loans
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Other loans
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Continuing operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other loans
Continuing operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other loans
Discontinued operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Short-term credit facilities
Continuing operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other loans
Short-term credit facilities
Continuing operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Short-term credit facilities
Discontinued operations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other loans
Short-term credit facilities
Discontinued operations
USD ($)
Feb. 18, 2013
Other loans
Sibanye Gold Limited [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 12, 2014
Other loans
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Rand Merchant Bank
USD ($)
Dec. 12, 2014
Other loans
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Rand Merchant Bank
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Rand Merchant Bank
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Rand Merchant Bank
ZAR
Dec. 12, 2014
Other loans
Gold Fields Operations
Rand Merchant Bank
USD ($)
Dec. 12, 2014
Other loans
Gold Fields Operations
Rand Merchant Bank
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Gold Fields Operations
Rand Merchant Bank
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Gold Fields Operations
Rand Merchant Bank
ZAR
Feb. 18, 2013
Other loans
long-term revolving credit facilities
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
long-term revolving credit facilities
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2010
Other loans
long-term revolving credit facilities
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2010
Other loans
long-term revolving credit facilities
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2010
Other loans
long-term revolving credit facilities
Maximum
Jun. 19, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures June Two Thousand Sixteen
Rand Merchant Bank
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures June Two Thousand Sixteen
Rand Merchant Bank
Jun. 19, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures June Two Thousand Sixteen
Rand Merchant Bank
USD ($)
Jun. 19, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures June Two Thousand Sixteen
Rand Merchant Bank
ZAR
Dec. 20, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures December Twenty One Twenty Sixteen
Standard Bank
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures December Twenty One Twenty Sixteen
Standard Bank
Dec. 20, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures December Twenty One Twenty Sixteen
Standard Bank
USD ($)
Dec. 20, 2013
Other loans
Revolving Credit Facility Matures December Twenty One Twenty Sixteen
Standard Bank
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Long term credit facility
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Long term credit facility
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Long term credit facility
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2014
Other loans
Long term credit facility
Maximum
Nov. 28, 2012
Other loans
Rand bridge loan facilities
Sibanye Gold
ZAR
Dec. 31, 2014
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Facility B [Member]
Jan. 30, 2013
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Facility B [Member]
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Borrowers
Facility B [Member]
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Facility B [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition One
Facility B [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition Two
Facility B [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Five Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition Three [Member]
Facility B [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Facility A [Member]
Jan. 30, 2013
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Facility C [Member]
Nov. 28, 2012
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Borrowers
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Nov. 28, 2012
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Facility A [Member]
Jul. 22, 2013
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Jul. 22, 2013
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Facility C [Member]
Jul. 22, 2013
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
GFI Joint Venture Holdings
Facility C [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 18, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 18, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Facility C [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Facility C [Member]
Jun. 18, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Revolving Credit Facility Matures November 28, 2015
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Jun. 18, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
$1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility
Revolving Credit Facility Matures November 28, 2017
Facility A [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition One
Facility C [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition Two
Facility C [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Three Year Revolving Credit Facility
Condition Three [Member]
Facility C [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Date of cancellation                                     Dec. 19, 2014                                                           Feb. 15, 2013     Jan. 30, 2013       Feb. 15, 2013                                                                                                                            
Credit facility refinance description                                                                                                 On February 15, 2013, this facility was refinanced by drawing down under the $1,510 million term loan and revolving credit facility as detailed in 16(g).                 On February 15, 2013, the $1 billion and the $500 million syndicated revolving credit facilities were refinanced by drawing down $720.0 million under this facility.                                       On February 18, 2013, these facilities were refinanced by drawing down under the Rand bridge loan facilities as detailed below and were also cancelled on February 18, 2013.                                                                                
Long-term revolving credit facility       $ 900,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenGfoAndGfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
      1,500,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                  $ 200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
                  $ 200,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
            $ 70,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
$ 60,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
      $ 43,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityFiscalYearTwentyTwelveMember
$ 35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityFiscalYearTwentyThirteenMember
    $ 1,440,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
      $ 600,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_BridgeLoanFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenGfoAndGfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
                                                            1,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongtermRevolvingCreditFacilitiesMember
3,500,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongtermRevolvingCreditFacilitiesMember
        $ 43,300,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesJuneTwentyTwoThousandSixteenMember
500,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesJuneTwentyTwoThousandSixteenMember
    $ 43,300,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_StandardBankGroupLtdMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesDecemberTwentyOneTwoThousandSixteenMember
500,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_StandardBankGroupLtdMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesDecemberTwentyOneTwoThousandSixteenMember
        6,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ invest_InvestmentIssuerAxis
= gfi_SibanyeGoldMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandBridgeLoanFacilitiesMember
  $ 720,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
$ 450,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenGfoAndGfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
          $ 720,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
  $ 450,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenGfoAndGfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
  $ 100,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
  $ 620,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
               
Line of credit facility, additional interest above LIBOR/JIBAR           2.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                      2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
        1.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                  2.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                                                                                                  2.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesJuneTwentyTwoThousandSixteenMember
      2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesDecemberTwentyOneTwoThousandSixteenMember
                2.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
            2.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
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= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
  2.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
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= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                         
Line of credit interest rate description           Interest at JIBAR plus a margin of 2.50% per annum.                         The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% per annum.       The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.625% per annum.                     The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.40% per annum.                                                                                                   JIBAR plus 2.5%       JIBAR plus 2.75%               Facility B bear interest at LIBOR plus an initial margin of 2.25% per annum             Facility A bear interest at LIBOR plus an initial margin of 2.45% per annum   Facility C bear interest at LIBOR plus an intitial margin of 2.00%.                          
Long and short-term loans raised 463,900,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt 3,177,700,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt 936,300,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt           22,800,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
17,200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
37,700,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
22,800,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
17,200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
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/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
37,700,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
    200,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
        42,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
42,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                                          41,500,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOrogenHoldingLimitedMember
173,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOrogenHoldingLimitedMember
                              345,400,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
2,094,200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
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= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
542,400,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
299,200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
2,094,200,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
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/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
0us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
25,400,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
      23,100,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
250,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
    23,100,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
250,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
                                                                  120,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
670,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
  75,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesNovemberTwentyEightTwoThousandAndFifteenMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
45,000,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityThreeMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RevolvingCreditFacilityMaturesNovemberTwentyEightTwoThousandAndSeventeenMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
     
Principal payments schedule                                     The facility amount was repayable in 20 equal quarterly instalments of $10 million each.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Number of equal quarterly installments                                     20gfi_NumberOfEqualQuarterlyInstallments
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Periodic payment, Principal                                     10,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Long and short-term loans repaid 591,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt 2,971,300,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt 975,900,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt                       70,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
40,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
    30,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
40,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
                                                189,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOrogenHoldingLimitedMember
119,500,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOrogenHoldingLimitedMember
      104,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SyndicatedRevolvingLoanFacilityMember
            666,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
        297,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
2,041,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
503,400,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
276,200,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
2,041,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember
0us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
164,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_ShortTermCreditFacilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis
= us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember
  10,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
125,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GfiJointVenturesHoldingPtyLimitedMember
    10,800,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
125,000,000us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_RandMerchantBankMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsOperationsMember
                                                                                     
Debt maturity period                                     5 years               3 years                                                                                                       3 years   3 years 5 years                                                                        
Line of credit facility, outstanding           129,800,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
145,100,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                          40,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_NonRevolvingSeniorSecuredTermLoanMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
    42,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                  35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
    35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_AmendedTermFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsGhanaLimitedMember
35,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsGhanaLimitedMember
    626,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
773,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_TermLoanAndRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                              65,200,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
46,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
350,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
              142,400,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_SibanyeGoldLimitedMember
                                          21,600,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongTermCreditFacilityMember
250,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongTermCreditFacilityMember
                                                   
Line of credit facility refinanced amount                                                   150,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
  75,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_GoldFieldsLaCimaMember
                                            1,000,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SyndicatedRevolvingLoanFacilityMember
                                                                                                                                     
Line of credit facility utilization description                                                                                                         Less than or equal to $66,666,666 Greater than $66,666,666 and less than or equal to $133,333,333 Greater than $133,333,333                                                                                         Less than or equal to 33 1/3% Greater than 33 1/3% and less than or equal to 66 2/3% Greater than 66 2/3%                           Less than or equal to 33 1/3% Greater than 33 1/3% and less than or equal to 66 2/3% Greater than 66 2/3%
Line of credit facility utilization fee percentage                                                                                                         0.075%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionOneMember
0.15%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionTwoMember
0.25%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionThreeMember
                                                                                        0.20%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionOneMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
0.40%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
0.60%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionThreeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                          0.15%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionOneMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
0.30%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionTwoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
0.45%gfi_LineOfCreditUtilizationFeeRate
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_ConditionThreeMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Line of credit facility commitment fee percentage           0.85%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_NedbankRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                                0.65%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                  1.00%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
                                                                                                                      1.00%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongTermCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
1.05%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_OtherLoansMember
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_LongTermCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
  0.90%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityOneMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_FiveYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                0.80%us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= gfi_CreditFacilityTwoMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= gfi_ThreeYearRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
                         
Increase in line of credit facility                                                 75,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_LaCimaRevolvingSeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                                                                                                                                                                                         
Interest rate                                                           4.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_DollarOneBillionNotesIssueMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenInvestmentSaLuxembourgMember
                                                                                                                                                                               
Maturity date         Mar. 07, 2018                                               Oct. 07, 2020     Feb. 21, 2014   May 06, 2017                         Aug. 28, 2014                                                                                                       Nov. 28, 2017               Nov. 28, 2015   Nov. 28, 2015       Nov. 28, 2017          
Transaction cost                                                         $ 13,600,000us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtIssuanceCosts
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_DollarOneBillionNotesIssueMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_OrogenInvestmentSaLuxembourgMember
                                                                                                                                                                                 
Annual guarantee fee percentage                                                             0.25%gfi_AnnualGuaranteeFeePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= gfi_DollarOneBillionNotesIssueMember
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_SibanyeGoldLimitedMember
                                                                                                                                                                             
Line of credit facility maturity date                                                                   The final maturity date of the new facility is three years from the financial close date (May 6, 2017).                                                                                                                                                                        
Line of credit facility commitment fee percentage, description           Every six months on the undrawn amount.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Line of credit facility, maturity date                                                                                                                                                                       Jun. 20, 2016       Dec. 21, 2016