2.2.0.7 false Subsequent Events 01210 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events true false false false 1 USD false false Monetary Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 EarninsPerShareUSD Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Subsequent Events Abstract 0 au_SubsequentEventsAbstract au false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Subsequent Events 1 us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsequentEventsTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 Temporary suspension of operations at Iduapriem and Obuasi mines:On February 19, 2010, AngloGold Ashanti announced that following discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana (EPA), the Iduapriem mine in Ghana had been temporarily suspended to address potentially adverse environmental impacts arising from the current tailings storage facility. On March 31, 2010 AngloGold Ashanti announced that it had suspended the operation of gold processing at the Obuasi mine pending the implementation of a revised water management strategy to reduce contaminants contained in its discharge. Temporary suspension of operations at Iduapriem and Obuasi mines:On February 19, 2010, AngloGold Ashanti announced that following discussions with the false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock Describes disclosed significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date, but before the issuance of the financial statements. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, losses resulting from fire or flood, losses on receivables, significant realized and unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in quoted market prices of securities, declines in market prices of inventory, changes in authorized or issued debt (SEC), significant foreign exchange rate changes, substantial loans to insiders or affiliates, significant long-term investments, and substantial dividends not in the ordinary course of business. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 11 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true