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Directors Affected by Gold Fields Management Scheme Modification (Detail) - The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan - $ / shares | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Average instrument price | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 | $ 8.89 | $ 12.53
Stock Appreciation Rights |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of options | 1,025,178 | 1,818,261 | 3,151,728 | 4,318,909
Average instrument price | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 |  |
Contractual life extended by (years) | 10 months 2 days | 1 year 5 months 23 days |  |
Stock Appreciation Rights | Nicholas J. Holland |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of options |  |  | 121,428 |
Average instrument price |  |  | $ 8.21 |
Contractual life extended by (years) |  |  | 1 month 28 days |
Stock Appreciation Rights | Paul Schmidt |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Number of options |  |  | 75,082 |
Average instrument price |  |  | $ 8.56 |
Contractual life extended by (years) |  |  | 2 months 1 day |

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