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Commitments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
South African Peruvian and Ghanaian Operations [member] |  |
Disclosure of Information about Guarantees [Line Items] |  |
Environmental obligation guarantees amount | $ 112.1 | $ 100.1

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- Definition Disclosure of information about guarantees. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Environmental obligation guarantees amount. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |