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Share-based Payments - Summary of Share Options Under the Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan (Detail) - Gold Fields Limited 2005 Share Plan [Member]
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
shares
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
shares
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
shares
Average Instrument Price [member]      
Movement during the year:      
Outstanding at beginning of the year | $ $ 7.39 $ 6.03 $ 7.89
Forfeited | $ 7.75 5.27 7.34
Outstanding at end of the year (vested) | $ $ 9.42 $ 7.39 $ 6.03
Share Appreciation Rights [Member]      
Disclosure of movements in share options [Line Items]      
Outstanding at beginning of the year | shares 530,611 1,025,178 1,818,261
Movement during the year:      
Forfeited | shares (519,090) (494,567) (793,083)
Outstanding at end of the year | shares 11,521 530,611 1,025,178