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Non-Current Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Realized gain on disposal of listed investments before tax	$ 1.8us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax	$ 7.4us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax
Far South East Project [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership %	40.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember	40.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Option percentage currently not exercised	20.00%gfi_PercentageOfIncreaseInCommonStockToBeIssuedUponExcersiseOfWarrant / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Far South East Project [Member] | Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Pre-agreed acquisition price for a 60% interest in FSE, option fees paid			10.0gfi_OptionFeesPaid / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LepantoConsolidatedMiningCompanyMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Far South East Project [Member] | Liberty Express Assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Pre-agreed acquisition price for a 60% interest in FSE, non-refundable down payment			44.0gfi_NonRefundableDownPayment / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember	110.0gfi_NonRefundableDownPayment / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember	66.0gfi_NonRefundableDownPayment / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Pre-agreed acquisition, options to acquire			60.00%gfi_OptionToAcquireInterestsPercentage / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Ownership %						40.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember
Final Payment for a 40% interest in FSE						$ 110.0gfi_FinalPaymentForInterestAcquired / invest_InvestmentContractCounterpartyAxis = gfi_LibertyExpressAssetsMember / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = gfi_FarSouthEastMember

X

- Definition

The final non-refundable down payment payable at the expiration date of the option period to acquire an interest in an exploration project/asset.

+ References

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+ References

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- Definition

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+ References

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Option to Acquire Interests, Percentage

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

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