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Investments - Summary of Investments (Parenthetical) (Detail) - $ / shares | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of detailed information about investment property [line items] |  |
Redeemable preference shares | 164,939,999 |
Redeemable preference shares, par value | $ 164,939,999 |
Marverix Metals Incorporated [Member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about investment property [line items] |  |
Common share purchase warrants | 10,000,000 | 10,000,000

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- Definition Common share purchase warrants. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Number of redeemable preference shares. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Redeemable preference shares, par value. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | gfi_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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