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Schedule of Provision for Long-term Cash Incentive Plan (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term cash incentive plan
Cash awards raised during the year	$ 8.7us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense	$ 0us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense	$ 0us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense
Balance at close	8.3us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRecordedLiability
Key Senior Managers [Member]
Long-term cash incentive plan
Cash awards raised during the year	8.7us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualCompensationExpense / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_ManagementMember
Changes in estimates	0.3gfi_ProvisionForLongTermCashIncentivePlanChangesInEstimates / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_ManagementMember
Forfeited awards	(0.3)gfi_ProvisionForLongTermCashIncentivePlanForfeitedAwards / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_ManagementMember
Translation adjustment	(0.4)gfi_ProvisionForLongTermCashIncentivePlanTranslationAdjustment / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_ManagementMember
Balance at close	$ 8.3us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualRecordedLiability / us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis = us-gaap_ManagementMember

X

- Definition

Provision for long-term cash incentive plan changes in estimates.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Provision for long-term cash incentive plan forfeited awards.

+ References

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- Definition

Provision for long-term cash incentive plan translation adjustment.

+ References

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- Definition

The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20015-108363

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- Definition

The carrying amount of the liability as of the balance sheet date to an individual under a deferred compensation arrangement. This amount may be the result of periodic accruals made over the period of active employment, or reflect termination benefits resulting contractual terms or a death benefit.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20015-108363

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