You're flying along the jagged edges of the map, the wind whistling past your mount, and you see it. That gold icon on the mini-map. But then you land, look around, and there’s absolutely nothing there. Just rocks. This is the "Coastal Mine" experience in a nutshell. If you are hunting for coastal mine collection chests, you already know this area is a vertical nightmare designed to make completionists lose their minds.
It’s not just a cave. It’s a multi-level labyrinth.
Most guides just give you a map marker and wish you luck, but that doesn't help when the chest is actually thirty feet below your boots or hidden behind a breakable wall you didn't notice because the lighting in this game is moodier than a teenager. To actually clear this zone, you need to understand how the internal geometry of the mine works. Honestly, it’s one of the most frustrating spots in the game if you’re just winging it.
Why the Coastal Mine Collection Chests are So Easy to Miss
The Coastal Mine isn't your average dungeon. It’s a transition zone. Because it connects different elevations of the world map, the game's GPS gets a little confused about "up" and "down." You might be standing right on top of a chest icon, but the actual loot is tucked away in a sub-tunnel three floors below you.
I've spent hours circling these cliffs. The biggest mistake people make is staying on the main path. In this game, the main path is for story beats; the side crevices are where the actual rewards live. If you see a pile of rocks that looks slightly different from the rest of the wall, hit it. Just hit it. You’d be surprised how many players walk right past the "Confringo" walls because they’re rushing to the next quest marker.
There is a specific logic to how these chests are placed. Usually, one is tied to a simple mechanical puzzle—think platforms or pull-switches—while the others are hidden behind environmental destruction or clever line-of-sight tricks.
The First Major Obstacle: The Verticality Trap
When you first enter the mine from the northern entrance, you’re greeted by a massive open chamber with a lot of scaffolding. It looks straightforward. It isn't.
The first of the coastal mine collection chests is usually found in this upper sector, but it’s tucked behind a series of pipes. You actually have to look for the steam. In many of these industrial-themed areas, developers use steam or light leaks to draw your eye toward "hidden" paths. If you see a platform that looks useless, jump on it. There’s almost always a chest tucked into the shadows nearby.
I remember the first time I went through here. I was so focused on the Goblins that I completely ignored the ladder off to the left. That ladder leads to a small landing that houses the first collection chest. It’s not even "hidden," it’s just placed in a spot that your brain ignores because you’re looking for enemies.
Breaking Down the Middle Level
Once you descend further into the mine via the cart system, things get weirder. The cart ride is scripted, sure, but once you step off, you're in a combat arena. Most people finish the fight and follow the yellow line on the map. Stop doing that.
Instead, look for the water.
There’s a section in the middle of the mine where the floor is partially flooded. If you follow the water flow toward the eastern wall, there’s a small crawlspace. You literally have to crouch to get through it. On the other side is a small room that looks like a storage closet. This is where people usually miss the second chest. It doesn’t show up on the map until you’re practically touching the wall because of the way the "fog of war" works in interior cells.
Basically, if you aren't hugging the walls like a nervous cat, you're going to miss it.
The Pipe Puzzle and the Hidden Room
There is a specific mechanic involving a furnace and a pull-handle. You’ve probably seen these elsewhere, but in the Coastal Mine, it’s a bit more finicky. You have to light the furnace to get the elevators moving. But! If you look above the elevator shaft before you get on, there’s a ledge.
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- Light the furnace using a fire spell (Incendio or Confringo).
- Wait for the platform to descend.
- Instead of getting on, look for the hook point above you.
- Use Accio to pull yourself or a crate into position.
This leads to the "secret" upper office. It’s a tiny room with a desk, some lore notes, and—you guessed it—one of the more elusive coastal mine collection chests. This one usually contains a high-end furniture recipe for your Room of Requirement. If you’re trying to get that 100% completion badge, this is usually the one that’s holding you back.
The Final Stretch: Near the Exit
The last chest is usually the easiest to find but the hardest to reach if you’ve already triggered the exit sequence. As you approach the end of the mine where the path opens back up to the coast, there’s a massive gear assembly.
Most players are just relieved to see daylight at this point. They run straight out.
Don't.
Turn around and look at the gears. There’s a small gap in the floorboards right beneath the primary rotating gear. If you drop down there—carefully, because the fall damage is real—you’ll find the final collection chest of the zone. It’s tucked behind some crates. It’s a classic "leap of faith" moment that rewards players for actually exploring the geometry instead of just following the UI.
What’s Actually Inside These Things?
You might be wondering if it’s even worth the headache. Honestly, it depends on how much you care about the aesthetic side of the game. These chests don't typically drop gear or weapons. They drop "Collections."
- Conjurations: These are the big prizes. Wall hangings, statues, rugs, and desks for your personal base.
- Wand Handles: Occasionally, you'll find a unique handle that you can't get anywhere else.
- Gold: If you've already unlocked everything in that loot pool, the game usually defaults to a chunk of change, but that's rare.
If you are a builder or someone who wants every single trophy, these are non-negotiable. If you just want to finish the story, you can probably skip the stress. But let’s be real, if you’re reading this, you’re probably at 98% completion and that one missing icon is driving you crazy.
Common Glitches and How to Fix Them
Sometimes, the game just breaks. It happens. You might find the chest, open it, and get... nothing. Or the icon stays on the map even though the chest is clearly open and empty.
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This is a known issue with the Coastal Mine specifically because of the way it loads between world regions. If this happens to you, the best fix is a hard reset. Save your game right in front of the empty chest, close the application entirely, and reload. Often, the game will "check" your inventory against the world state and finally tick that box off your list.
Another thing: make sure you haven't missed a "moth" puzzle nearby. While not directly a collection chest, some players confuse the two when looking at their map legend. The Coastal Mine has several layers of puzzles that overlap, so clarity is key.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Run
If you’re heading back in there right now, follow this mental checklist. It will save you about forty minutes of wandering aimlessly.
First, clear the enemies. Don't try to loot while Goblins are shooting at you. It’s distracting and you’ll miss the environmental cues. Once the room is quiet, cast Revelio. But don't just look at what's in front of you. Spin your camera 360 degrees and look up at the ceiling. The blue outlines of the chests can be seen through floors, which is your best guide for verticality.
Second, check every single breakable wooden barricade. In the Coastal Mine, about half of the "secret" rooms are hidden behind those flimsy-looking planks. A simple basic cast is enough to shatter them.
Third, use the "Map Toggle." If you're on the world map, hover over the Coastal Mine icon. It will tell you exactly how many chests you have left in that specific sub-zone. If it says 1/2, you know you’re looking for one specific box. If it says 2/2 and you still see an icon, the icon is just a ghost—ignore it and move on with your life.
Finally, remember that the "Coastal Mine" and the "Tower Tunnel" are often confused. They are close to each other on the map but have completely different loot tables. Double-check your location name in the bottom right of the screen before you start tearing your hair out looking for a chest that belongs in a different dungeon.
To wrap this up, finding every one of the coastal mine collection chests is less about skill and more about patience. It’s about being willing to look under the stairs, behind the barrels, and inside the dark corners that the developers hoped you’d ignore. Slow down, use your light spells, and stop trusting the GPS. The best loot is always where the path isn't.
Go back to the northern entrance, work your way down floor by floor, and hug the left-hand walls. You'll find what you're looking for. Usually, it's just a fancy rug for your Room of Requirement, but the satisfaction of seeing that map counter hit 100%? That's the real reward.
Next Steps for Completionists
Check your "Collections" menu under the "Conjurations" tab. Cross-reference your unlocked items with a master list to see if the missing item is a "General" drop or a "Dungeon-Specific" drop. If you are still missing items after clearing the Coastal Mine, your next stop should be the butterfly trails in the surrounding Poidsear Coast, as these often contain the final pieces of the puzzle that the mines don't cover.