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Mining and Income Taxation - Summary of Estimated Available for Set-off Against Future Income Pre Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
South African - Components of Mining and Income Tax [Member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | $ 3,143.5 | $ 2,535.6
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 192.5 | 182.3
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 1,501.6 | 1,132.6
South African - Components of Mining and Income Tax [Member] | Gold Fields Operations Limited [Member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 716.4 | 606.4
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 192.5 | 182.3
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 0.0 | 0.0
South African - Components of Mining and Income Tax [Member] | GFI Joint Venture Holdings (Proprietary) Limited [Member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 2,427.1 | 1,929.2
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 0.0 | 0.0
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 1,501.6 | 1,132.6
International operations [member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 0.0 | 88.8
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 647.3 | 458.7
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 509.4 | 546.3
International operations [member] | Exploration Entities [Member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 0.0 | 0.0
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 445.9 | 388.8
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 445.9 | 388.8
International operations [member] | Gold Fields Australia Proprietary Limited [Member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 0.0 | 0.0
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 0.0 | 1.2
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | 0.0 | 0.0
International operations [member] | Abosso Goldfields Limited [member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure US$ million | 0.0 | 88.8
2016 Gross tax losses US$ million | 201.4 | 68.7
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised US$ million | $ 63.5 | $ 157.5

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