The rock cutting workshop is a laboratory unit of the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Science, and this workshop accomplishes a lot of laboratory geological work that is indispensable for the geological researcher, as there are three main departments: -

1- Department of preparation of thin microscopic slides

In this section, all types of thin microscopic slides are prepared for various solid, fragile and fragmented geological samples, including samples that require special treatment such as samples affected by water and samples affected by heat.

This section is newly equipped and has the following:

- Devices for cutting rocks and various minerals.

- Abrasive devices.

- Air vacuum device used in the process of strengthening fragile samples.

- Special cutting and abrasive devices to reduce the thickness of the slats.

- All devices and auxiliary materials such as microscopes.

2 - Department of metal and rock polishing

In this section, all types of polished sectors are prepared for the various types of minerals and rocks that need to be studied for this type of sector, or to highlight some geological structures that contain 

- A hydraulic crusher, a jaw breaker, and a third molar device.

- Milling devices.

- Mechanical vibrator for sieves, with sets of sieves of different sizes.

- Auxiliary devices such as Jones splitter and mortar of steel and porcelain.

4 - Department of imaging microscopic slides

In this section there is a polarized light microscope equipped with a special camera for imaging microscopic slides on color or black and white films measuring 24 x 36 mm.

In addition to the work carried out in the aforementioned departments, the workshop carries out other works, including:

Introducing the students of the department to the method of making thin microscopic slides.

Assist in the dyeing process that is used to distinguish some similar metals.

Assist in the process of metal separation using heavy liquids.

Assist in the process of separating fossils.

Assist in the process of imaging microscopic slides.

The workshop selects and prepares some model geological samples available in the geological samples store that the employees and students of the department bring from different regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to submit them to some schools that request samples to teach geology.