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Details of Performance Vesting Restricted Shares and Share Appreciation Rights Granted under Share Plan (Detail) - The Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan - $ / shares | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Average price |  |  |
Average price, at beginning of year | $ 7.89 | $ 8.89 | $ 12.53
Exercised and released |  | 0 | 0
Forfeited | 7.34 | 8.62 | 10.61
Average price, at end of year | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 | $ 8.89
Restricted Stock |  |  |
Number of Options |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | 1,230,971 | 4,986,216
Exercised and released |  | (1,217,700) | (1,857,614)
Forfeited |  | (13,271) | (214,929)
Ending Balance |  |  | 1,230,971
Stock Appreciation Rights |  |  |
Number of Options |  |  |
Beginning Balance | 1,818,261 | 3,151,728 | 4,318,909
Forfeited | (793,083) | (1,333,467) | (554,649)
Ending Balance | 1,025,178 | 1,818,261 | 3,151,728
Average price |  |  |
Average price, at beginning of year | $ 7.89 |  |
Average price, at end of year | $ 6.03 | $ 7.89 |
Sibanye Spin-off |  |  |
Average price |  |  |
Forfeited |  |  | $ 11.99
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye |  |  | $ 10.72
Sibanye Spin-off | Restricted Stock |  |  |
Number of Options |  |  |
Forfeited |  |  | (2,221,264)
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye |  |  | 538,562
Sibanye Spin-off | Stock Appreciation Rights |  |  |
Number of Options |  |  |
Forfeited |  |  | (1,077,878)
Additional shares awarded due to spin-off of Sibanye |  |  | 465,346

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