A method of producing silicon blocks by cutting a silicon ingot is
provided. The method uses a silicon ingot cutting slurry containing
abrasive grains and an alkaline substance so as to provide the silicon
blocks that can be produced into silicon wafers each having a thin
thickness with reduced substrate damage at the time of producing a solar
battery. The alkaline substance has a content mass that is at least 3.5%
with respect to the mass of the entire liquid components of said slurry,
and the slurry contains an organic amine having a mass ratio of 0.5 to
5.0 with respect to water in the liquid components of the slurry. The
slurry is used at a pH of 12 or more and at a temperature of from 65 to
95 degrees C.