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Discontinued Operations, Disposal of Chucapaca and Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Total distribution amount   $ 1,033.7gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssetValueDistributed
Canteras Del Hallazgo | Chucapaca    
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Percentage of stake sold 51.00%gfi_PercentageOfOwnershipInterestSold
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_CanterasDelHallazgoMember
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= gfi_ChucapacaMember		  
Sibanye Gold Limited [Member]    
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Total distribution amount   $ 1,033.7gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssetValueDistributed
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= gfi_SibanyeGoldLimitedMember