You’re trekking through the Soviet Installation in Rise of the Tomb Raider, freezing, dodging Trinity patrols, and probably looking for a way to upgrade that recurve bow. Then you see it. A glimpse of rusted metal and a whiff of sulfur. Most players just breeze past the side content to get to the next cinematic beat, but honestly, skipping the Red Mine challenge tomb is a massive mistake. It’s easily one of the most atmospheric, claustrophobic, and rewarding puzzles Crystal Dynamics ever shoved into a Reboot-era Lara Croft game. It isn't just a room with a chest at the end. It's a vertical gauntlet.
The Soviet Installation is huge. Like, distractingly huge. You’ve got the Copper Mill, the logging camp, and the frozen wastes, but the Red Mine is tucked away in a corner of the Copper Mill that feels genuinely dangerous. You aren't just tomb raiding for sport here; you’re digging into the dark, industrial history of the Soviet occupation of Siberia.
Finding the Red Mine challenge tomb without getting lost
Getting there is half the battle. You’ll find the entrance inside the Copper Mill. Look for a room with a lot of yellow ladders and hanging buckets. You’ve basically gotta find a small crack in the wall—classic Lara—and squeeze through into a transition area that smells like old blood and stagnant water.
The descent is eerie.
Most tombs in the game focus on ancient Byzantine ruins or Greek-inspired architecture, but the Red Mine is different. It’s industrial. It’s gritty. It feels like a place where people actually worked and died. As you move deeper, the ambient lighting shifts from the harsh blues of the Siberian winter to a flickering, sickly orange. You'll drop down several shafts, and the game does a great job of making you feel like you're getting trapped.
The physics of the puzzle
Once you reach the main chamber, the scale hits you. You’re looking at a massive, multi-level mining operation flooded with water and blocked by a wall of fire. This is the "Red Mine" namesake in action. The puzzle revolves around mine carts and counterweights.
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It’s a physics-based headache in the best way possible.
To clear the path, you need to use a series of mine carts to block a waterfall so you can light a fuse. Sounds simple? It’s not. You have to navigate Lara up to the higher tracks, jump onto hanging platforms, and timing is everything. If you jump too early, the weight doesn't shift correctly. If you wait too long, you’re just standing there like a tourist.
- First, head to the top left. You’ll see a cart stuck.
- Push that cart. It’ll roll down and provide a weight.
- Use the rope arrows—Lara’s best friend—to tether the cart to the nearby pole.
The trick is the second cart. You have to release it so it swings across the gap, momentarily blocking the water that’s dousing the flammable debris. It’s a rhythmic puzzle. You’ll probably fail it once or twice because the jumping arc feels a bit floaty, but once it clicks, it’s immensely satisfying. You toss a Molotov, the barrier explodes, and the way to the "Codex" is open.
What you actually get for your trouble
Why bother? Well, besides the XP, the reward for the Red Mine challenge tomb is the "Bright Eyes" ability. Honestly, it’s a game-changer if you’re playing on Survivor or Extreme Survivor difficulty. It makes traps glow when you’re nearby.
Think about all those annoying floor spikes or tripwires that have killed you instantly. With Bright Eyes, they glow red. It basically turns Lara into a supernatural detective. Even if you don't care about the lore, the utility of this skill makes the Red Mine one of the most essential stops in the early-to-mid game.
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The environmental storytelling is actually incredible
Crystal Dynamics nailed the "haunted industrial" vibe here. If you stop and read the documents scattered around the mine, you learn about the workers who were forced into these pits. It’s grim. You find notes from a Soviet foreman who was clearly losing his mind, and letters from prisoners who knew they weren't going home.
It adds a layer of weight to the platforming. You aren't just jumping on old wood; you're jumping on the remnants of a gulag-style operation. It’s dark stuff. It contrasts heavily with the "Kitezh" mythology found in other parts of the game. It grounds the supernatural elements of Rise of the Tomb Raider in a very real, very human tragedy.
Why people struggle with this tomb
A lot of players get stuck on the jump to the second bucket. The collision physics in the 2015 engine can be a little picky. If you find yourself slipping off the edge, try to aim for the center of the bucket rather than the rim. Also, don't forget that you can use your survival instinct to highlight the rope-pull spots.
Sometimes the red-tinted lighting makes it hard to see the rope coils.
If the fire doesn't light, it's almost always because the water is still dripping. You have to be fast. The window between the cart blocking the water and the fire catching is only a few seconds.
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Essential Gear Check
Don't try to rush here the second you see the mill. Make sure you have:
- The Grapple Axe (obviously).
- Rope Arrows (unlocked through the main story).
- Molotov Cocktails (you'll craft these as part of a scripted sequence just before this area).
If you’re missing any of these, the game basically won't let you progress past the first corridor, so it’s hard to truly "waste" time, but it's worth knowing before you head down the long elevator shaft.
Getting out of the Red Mine
The exit is a bit of a climb. You don't just fast travel out. You have to navigate back through the upper tunnels. Look for the shortcuts—there are a few ziplines and ledges that open up only after you've completed the main puzzle. It’s a nice touch that makes the world feel interconnected rather than just a series of loading screens.
By the time you emerge back into the Soviet Installation, the sun is probably setting, and you’re much better equipped for the firefights ahead.
The Red Mine challenge tomb represents the peak of the "Reboot" trilogy's puzzle design. It isn't as abstract as the tombs in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and it isn't as simplistic as the ones in the 2013 original. It’s the sweet spot. Challenging, moody, and actually useful for your character build.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your map: Locate the Copper Mill in the Soviet Installation. The tomb icon will appear as a white pulse when you're near the lower levels.
- Equip "Bright Eyes": Once you finish the tomb, go to a base camp immediately to ensure the skill is active and you've spent any associated skill points.
- Read the logs: Don't just grab the loot. The three documents inside provide the context for why this mine was abandoned, which enriches the story of the Remnant and the Soviet presence in the valley.
- Watch the swing: On the final puzzle, stand on the elevated platform and wait for the cart to reach the apex of its swing before throwing the Molotov. Timing the throw while the cart is still moving is the most common point of failure.