XML 129 R122.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Details of Performance Vesting Restricted Shares and Share Appreciation Rights Granted under Share Plan (Detail) (2005 Share Plan, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Average price
Average price, at beginning of year	$ 8.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 12.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 13.27us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Exercised and released			$ 12.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Forfeited	$ 8.62us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 10.61us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 14.30us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Average price, at end of year	$ 7.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 8.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice	$ 12.53us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Restricted Stock
Number of Options
Beginning Balance	1,230,971us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	4,986,216us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	7,369,112us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Exercised and released	(1,217,700)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(1,857,614)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(1,798,082)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Forfeited	(13,271)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(214,929)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(584,814)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Ending Balance		1,230,971us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	4,986,216us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Stock Appreciation Rights
Number of Options
Beginning Balance	3,151,728us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	4,318,909us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	5,030,143us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Exercised and released			(259,455)us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Forfeited	(1,333,467)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(554,649)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	(451,779)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Ending Balance	1,818,261us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	3,151,728us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	4,318,909us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Average price
Average price, at beginning of year	$ 8.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Average price, at end of year	$ 7.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember	$ 8.89us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember
Sibanye Spin-off
Average price
Forfeited		$ 11.99us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye		$ 10.72us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Sibanye Spin-off | Restricted Stock
Number of Options
Forfeited		(2,221,264)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye		538,562us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Sibanye Spin-off | Stock Appreciation Rights
Number of Options
Forfeited		(1,077,878)us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye		465,346us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod / us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis = us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember / us-gaap_PlanNameAxis = gfi_StockIncentivePlanTwentyZeroFiveMember / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

+ 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 (c)(1)(iv)(3)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ 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 (c)(1)(iv)(1)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

+ 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 (c)(1)(i)

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options that were terminated.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28,29)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(2)

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



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_StockAppreciationRightsSARSMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=gfi_SibanyeSpinoffMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: