2.2.0.7 false Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $) 00700 - Statement - Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals) true false In Millions 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 $ false 2 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 Statement Of Shareholders Equity Abstract 0 au_StatementOfShareholdersEquityAbstract 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 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 Cash Flow Hedge Gain Loss Reclassify To Earnings Net 1 au_CashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifyToEarningsNet au false credit duration Net loss on cash flow hedges removed from other comprehensive income and reported in income, net of tax false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 true true false false 32000000 32 false false false 2 true true false false 27000000 27 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net loss on cash flow hedges removed from other comprehensive income and reported in income, net of tax No authoritative reference available. false 4 Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivative Arising During Period Net Of Tax 1 au_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativeArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax au false credit duration Net loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 6000000 6 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax No authoritative reference available. false 5 Hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, net of tax 1 au_GainLossOnCashFlowHedgeIneffectiveneNet au false credit duration Hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, net of tax false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Hedge ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, net of tax No authoritative reference available. false 6 Net gain on available-for-sale financial assets arising during the period, net of tax 1 au_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentsNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease au false credit duration Net gain on available-for-sale financial assets arising during the period, net of tax false false false false false false false false false false false terselabel false 1 false true false false 0 0 false false false 2 false true false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Net gain on available-for-sale financial assets arising during the period, net of tax No authoritative reference available. false 7 Release On Disposal Of Available For Sale Financial Asset During Period Net Of Tax 1 au_ReleaseOnDisposalOfAvailableForSaleFinancialAssetDuringPeriodNetOfTax au false credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 true true false false 2000000 2 false false false 2 true true false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false 2 6 false Millions UnKnown UnKnown false true