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Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Tranche $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2012 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Cost of providing retirement benefits for defined contribution plans | $ 32,800,000 | $ 35,400,000 | $ 32,300,000 |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | 10,900,000 | 26,000,000 | 40,500,000 |
Incremental share-based compensation resulting from this modification | 0 |  |  |
Continuing operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | 10,900,000 | 26,000,000 | 40,500,000 |
Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 4,600,000 |
The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Stock awards, expiry date | Dec. 20, 2016 |  |  |
The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Options outstanding, average exercise price | $ / shares | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 | $ 8.89 | $ 12.53
The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan | Continuing operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense |  | $ 1,700,000 | $ 9,800,000 |
The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan | Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense |  |  | $ 2,700,000 |
Performance Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | $ 0 |  |  |
Share settlement period | 3 years |  |  |
Internal target performance percentage | 85.00% |  |  |
Performance shares settlement increased percentage | 200.00% |  |  |
Outstanding options, vested | shares | 0 |  |  |
Number of Performance shares outstanding | shares | 2,446,922 | 4,316,657 | 6,029,716 | 4,262,170
Performance Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Continuing operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | $ 8,200,000 | $ 12,000,000 | $ 18,800,000 |
Performance Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense |  |  | $ 1,100,000 |
Bonus Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of equal tranches | Tranche | 2 |  |  |
Number of Performance shares outstanding | shares |  | 2,161,922 | 882,072 | 792,376
Valuation method | A future trading model is used to estimate the loss in value to the holders of Bonus Shares due to trading restrictions. |  |  |
Bonus Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Continuing operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense | $ 2,700,000 | $ 12,300,000 | $ 11,900,000 |
Bonus Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Discontinued operations |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation allocation expense |  |  | 800,000 |
Bonus Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Minimum |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share settlement period | 9 months |  |  |
Bonus Shares | The Gold Fields Limited 2012 Share Plan | Maximum |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share settlement period | 18 months |  |  |
Stock Appreciation Rights | The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Incremental share-based compensation resulting from this modification |  |  | $ 0 |
Stock awards, expiry date | Dec. 01, 2017 |  |  |
Number of Performance shares outstanding | shares | 1,025,178 | 1,818,261 | 3,151,728 | 4,318,909
Options exercisable | shares | 0 |  |  |
Options outstanding, average exercise price | $ / shares | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 |  |
Stock Appreciation Rights | The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan | Maximum |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Expiration period from grant date | 6 years |  |  |
Restricted Stock | The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Share settlement period | 3 years |  |  |
Number of Performance shares outstanding | shares |  |  | 1,230,971 | 4,986,216

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- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 2: 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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F + Details
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- Definition Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + 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 (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Date the equity-based award expires, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + 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 (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition For each plan, identification of the award pricing model or other valuation method used in calculating the weighted average fair values disclosed. The model is also used to calculate the compensation expense that is shown within the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow. Examples of valuation techniques are lattice models (binomial model), closed-form models (Black-Scholes-Merton formula), and a Monte Carlo simulation technique. Fair value is the amount at which an asset or liability could be bought or incurred or sold or settled in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. May include disclosures about the assumptions underlying application of the method selected. + 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 (f)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The number of shares into which fully or partially vested stock options outstanding as of the balance sheet date can be currently converted under the 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)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- 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
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- Definition An excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the award immediately before the modification. + 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 (h)(2)(iii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + 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 (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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