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Contingent Liabilities - Additional Information (Detail) |  | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Oct. 17, 2014 Application Actions | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 ZAR | Dec. 31, 2014 Application | Dec. 31, 2012 Application | Aug. 21, 2008 USD ($) | Aug. 21, 2008 ZAR
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of court actions | Actions | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of consolidated court applications | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |
South Deep Gold Mine |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ownership Interests, percent |  | 50.00% | 50.00% |  |  |  |
Randgold and Exploration Summons |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Randgold and Exploration summons, highest claims |  |  |  |  |  | $ 800,000,000 | ZAR 12,000,000,000
Randgold and Exploration summons, lowest claims |  |  |  |  |  | 700,000,000 | 11,000,000,000
Randgold and Exploration summons, alternative claims |  |  |  |  |  | $ 34,000,000 | ZAR 519,000,000
Silicosis [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of court applications |  |  |  | 2 | 2 |  |
Plaintiffs claim amount |  | $ 2,000,000 | ZAR 25,000,000 |  |  |  |
Interest rate |  | 15.50% | 15.50% |  |  |  |

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