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Summary of Chucapaca's Assets and Liabilities Sold (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]      
Noncontrolling interest $ 96.6us-gaap_MinorityInterest $ 103.8us-gaap_MinorityInterest  
Profit on disposal 78.0us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments 17.8us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments 27.6us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments
Chucapaca      
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]      
Net assets disposed of 8.7gfi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssets
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= gfi_ChucapacaMember
   
Noncontrolling interest 0.5us-gaap_MinorityInterest
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= gfi_ChucapacaMember
   
Cash received 81.0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= gfi_ChucapacaMember
   
Profit on disposal $ 72.8us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfOtherInvestments
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= gfi_ChucapacaMember