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v3.19.1

Risk Management Activities - Credit Risk - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
Counter party exposure [member] |
Disclosure Of Financial Risk Management [line items] |
Percentage of maximum investment in financial institutions' equity | 2.50%

X
- Definition Line items represents information about financial risk management. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_DisclosureOfFinancialRiskManagementLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of maximum investment in financial institutions' equity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gfi_PercentageOfMaximumInvestmentInFinancialInstitutionsEquity
Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TypesOfRisksAxis=gfi_CounterPartyExposureMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |