Copper derivative contracts.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

The funds intended to fund environmental rehabilitation obligations of the entity and are not available for general purposes of the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gfi_EnvironmentalTrustFunds
Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gold and oil derivative contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	gfi_GoldAndOilDerivativeContracts
Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of outstanding funds that the entity is obligated to repay.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 55
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_Borrowings
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of cash on hand and demand deposits, along with short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. [Refer: Cash; Cash equivalents]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 45
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_45&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 12
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph B13
-Subparagraph a
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=12&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_B13_a&doctype=Appendix&seq=2
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 54
-Subparagraph i
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_54_i&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CashAndCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of financial assets classified as derivative instruments. [Refer: Financial assets; Derivatives [member]]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DerivativeFinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of assets that are: (a) cash; (b) an equity instrument of another entity; (c) a contractual right: (i) to receive cash or another financial asset from another entity; or (ii) to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially favourable to the entity; or (d) a contract that will, or may be, settled in the entity’s own equity instruments and is: (i) a non-derivative for which the entity is, or may be, obliged to receive a variable number of the entity’s own equity instruments; or (ii) a derivative that will, or may be, settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of the entity’s own equity instruments. For this purpose the entity’s own equity instruments do not include puttable financial instruments classified as equity instruments in accordance with paragraphs 16A-16B of IAS 32, instruments that impose on the entity an obligation to deliver to another party a pro rata share of the net assets of the entity only on liquidation and are classified as equity instruments in accordance with paragraphs 16C-16D of IAS 32, or instruments that are contracts for the future receipt or delivery of the entity’s own equity instruments. [Refer: Financial instruments, class [member]; Financial liabilities]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 25
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_25&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 35H
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_35H&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 35I
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_35I&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 35M
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_35M&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IFRS
-Number 7
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 35N
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IFRS&num=7&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_35N&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_FinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of liabilities that are: (a) a contractual obligation: (i) to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity; or (ii) to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another entity under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the entity; or (b) a contract that will, or may be, settled in the entity’s own equity instruments and is: (i) a non-derivative for which the entity is, or may be, obliged to deliver a variable number of the entity’s own equity instruments; or (ii) a derivative that will, or may be, settled other than by the exchange of a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of the entity’s own equity instruments. For this purpose, rights, options or warrants to acquire a fixed number of the entity’s own equity instruments for a fixed amount of any currency are equity instruments if the entity offers the rights, options or warrants pro rata to all of its existing owners of the same class of its own non-derivative equity instruments. Also, for those purposes the entity’s own equity instruments do not include puttable financial instruments that are classified as equity instruments in accordance with paragraphs 16A-16B of IAS 32, instruments that impose on the entity an obligation to deliver to another party a pro rata share of the net assets of the entity only on liquidation and are classified as equity instruments in accordance with paragraphs 16C-16D of IAS 32, or instruments that are contracts for the future receipt or delivery of the entity’s own equity instruments. As an exception, an instrument that meets the definition of a financial liability is classified as an equity instrument if it has all the features and meets the conditions in paragraphs 16A-16B or paragraphs 16C-16D of IAS 32. [Refer: Financial instruments, class [member]; Financial assets; Derivatives [member]]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_FinancialLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of non-current investments other than investments accounted for using the equity method. [Refer: Investments accounted for using equity method; Non-current assets; Investments other than investments accounted for using equity method]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_NoncurrentInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsAccountedForUsingEquityMethod
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of current trade payables and current other payables. [Refer: Current trade payables; Other current payables]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 54
-Subparagraph k
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_54_k&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherCurrentPayables
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of current trade receivables and current other receivables. [Refer: Current trade receivables; Other current receivables]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 54
-Subparagraph h
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_54_h&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 78
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_78_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TradeAndOtherCurrentReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount due from customers for goods and services sold.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2018-01-01
-Paragraph 78
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/XBRL?type=IAS&num=1&date=2018-03-01&anchor=para_78_b&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2018-03-16

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_TradeReceivables
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_EventsOfReclassificationOfFinancialAssetsAxis=gfi_IFRS9Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=ifrs-full_FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughProfitOrLossCategoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=ifrs-full_FinancialAssetsAtAmortisedCostCategoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=ifrs-full_FinancialAssetsAtFairValueThroughOtherComprehensiveIncomeCategoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_EventsOfReclassificationOfFinancialAssetsAxis=gfi_IAS39Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=ifrs-full_LoansAndReceivablesCategoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=ifrs-full_FinancialAssetsAvailableforsaleCategoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_CategoriesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=gfi_DerivativeInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Changes in Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Impact of Transition to IFRS 9 on the Classification of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Financial assets
Environmental trust funds	$ 60.8		$ 55.5	$ 44.5
Investments	235.3		104.6
Warrants	9.3		5.5
Trade and other receivables	153.2		201.9
Cash and cash equivalents	399.7		479.0	$ 526.7	$ 440.0
Trade receivables from provisional copper and gold concentrate sales	23.4		46.6
Financial liabilities
Borrowings	2,011.6		1,781.5
Trade and other payables	503.0		$ 548.5
IFRS 9 [member]
Financial assets
Total financial assets		$ 730.6
Financial liabilities
Borrowings	1,781.5
Trade and other payables	451.0
Copper derivative contracts	3.3
Total financial liabilities	2,235.8
IFRS 9 [member] \| FVTPL [member]
Financial assets
Environmental trust funds		7.3
Warrants		5.5
Gold and oil derivative contracts		25.0
Trade receivables from provisional copper and gold concentrate sales		21.2
IFRS 9 [member] \| Amortised cost [member]
Financial assets
Environmental trust funds		48.2
Trade and other receivables		45.3
Cash and cash equivalents		479.0
IFRS 9 [member] \| FVOCI [member]
Financial assets
Investments		99.1
IAS 39 [member]
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents		479.0
Total financial assets		730.6
Financial liabilities
Borrowings	1,781.5
Trade and other payables	451.0
Copper derivative contracts	3.3
Total financial liabilities	$ 2,235.8
IAS 39 [member] \| FVTPL [member]
Financial assets
Environmental trust funds		7.3
Trade receivables from provisional copper and gold concentrate sales		21.2
IAS 39 [member] \| Loans and receivables [member]
Financial assets
Environmental trust funds		48.2
Trade and other receivables		45.3
IAS 39 [member] \| Available for sale [member]
Financial assets
Investments		99.1
IAS 39 [member] \| Derivative instruments [member]
Financial assets
Warrants		5.5
Gold and oil derivative contracts		$ 25.0