Provisions - Schedule of Provisions for Dividend (Detail) R in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 ZAR (R)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Disclosure Of Provisions [Abstract]
Total provision	$ 8.0		$ 7.8
Current portion included in trade and other payables	(1.6)	R (20.0)	(1.4)
Balance at end of the year	$ 6.4		$ 6.4

The amount of non-current and current provision for black economic dividend transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	gfi_ProvisionsForBEEDividend
Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant