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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, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
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 | $ 1,641.1 | $ 3,143.5
Gross tax losses | 248.7 | 192.5
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 0.0 | 1,501.6
International operations [member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure | 0.0 | 0.0
Gross tax losses | 510.9 | 647.3
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 430.0 | 509.4
Abosso Goldfields Limited [member] | International operations [member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure | 0.0 | 0.0
Gross tax losses | 80.9 | 201.4
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 0.0 | 63.5
Gold Fields Operations Limited [Member] | 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 | 638.0 | 716.4
Gross tax losses | 206.4 | 192.5
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 0.0 | 0.0
GFI Joint Venture Holdings (Proprietary) Limited [Member] | 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 | 1,003.1 | 2,427.1
Gross tax losses | 41.0 | 0.0
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 0.0 | 1,501.6
Gold Fields Group Services Pty Limited [member] | 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 | 0.0 | 0.0
Gross tax losses | 1.3 | 0.0
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | 0.0 | 0.0
Exploration Entities [member] | International operations [member] |  |
Disclosure of Estimated Amount Available for Set Off Against Future Income Pretax [Line Items] |  |
Gross unredeemed capital expenditure | 0.0 | 0.0
Gross tax losses | 430.0 | 445.9
Gross deferred tax asset not recognised | $ 430.0 | $ 445.9

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