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Assumption used to Value Shares (Detail) (ZAR)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted average historical volatility (based on a statistical analysis of the share price on a weighted moving average basis for the expected term of the option)	44.40%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate
Expected term (months)	3 years
Weighted average risk free interest rate	2.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate
Performance Shares
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted average historical volatility (based on a statistical analysis of the share price on a weighted moving average basis for the expected term of the option)		33.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Expected term (months)		3 years
Dividend yield		4.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Weighted average fair value (South African rand)		79.83gfi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsWeightedAverageFairValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Performance Shares | US Interest Rates | 3 Year [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted average risk free interest rate		0.20%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = gfi_ThreeYearsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = gfi_UsInterestRatesMember
Bonus Shares
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted average historical volatility (based on a statistical analysis of the share price on a weighted moving average basis for the expected term of the option)	43.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember	32.00%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsWeightedAverageVolatilityRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember
Dividend yield	0.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember	4.60%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember
Weighted average fair value (South African rand)	40.28gfi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsWeightedAverageFairValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember	72.42gfi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsWeightedAverageFairValue / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember
Bonus Shares | Minimum
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (months)	9 months	9 months
Bonus Shares | Maximum
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Expected term (months)	18 months	18 months
Bonus Shares | SA Interest Rates | 3 Year [Member]
Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Method Used [Line Items]
Weighted average risk free interest rate	5.50%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = gfi_ThreeYearsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = gfi_SaInterestRatesMember	4.10%us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = gfi_BonusShareMember / us-gaap_RangeAxis = gfi_ThreeYearsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = gfi_SaInterestRatesMember

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value of the share-based compensation awards/options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Expected term of share-based compensation awards, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.D.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section D

-Subsection 2

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- Definition

The risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(iv)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Weighted average expected volatility rate of share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (f)(2)(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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