Line items represent disclosure of dividends.

No definition available.

Name:	gfi_DisclosureOfDividendsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	gfi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of dividends recognised as distributions to owners.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 107
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_107&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DividendsPaid
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of dividends relating to the current year, recognised as distributions to owners of the parent. [Refer: Parent [member]]

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name IAS
-Number 1
-IssueDate 2020-01-01
-Paragraph 106
-Subparagraph d
-URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_106_d&doctype=Standard
-URIDate 2020-01-01

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToCurrentYear
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of dividends relating to prior years, recognised as distributions to owners of the parent. [Refer: Parent [member]]

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersOfParentRelatingToPriorYears
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount, per share, of dividends recognised as distributions to owners.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	ifrs-full_DividendsRecognisedAsDistributionsToOwnersPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	ifrs-full_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ComponentsOfEquityAxis=gfi_FinalDividendsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	ifrs-full_ComponentsOfEquityAxis=gfi_InterimDividendsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Dividends - Summary of Dividends (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020 R / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 R / shares	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018 R / shares	Dec. 31, 2017 R / shares
Disclosure of Dividends [line items]
Total dividends	$ 137.7		$ 45.5		$ 45.5
Dividends per share - cents \| $ / shares	$ 0.16		$ 0.05		$ 0.06
Final Dividend [Member]
Disclosure of Dividends [line items]
Dividends recognised as distribution to owners	$ 84.7		$ 11.5		$ 34.7
Dividends per share - cents \| R / shares				R 1		R 0.20	R 0.50
Interim Dividend [Member]
Disclosure of Dividends [line items]
Dividends recognised as distribution to owners	$ 53.0		$ 34.0		$ 10.8
Dividends per share - cents \| R / shares		R 1.60		R 0.60		R 0.20