Some residents of Aboso in the Western Region where excess cyanide was found in water bodies due to illegal mining have reportedly downplayed the impact of the toxic substance.

Joy News' Ohemeng Tawiah interacted with the community members Friday and reported that although they are aware of the use of the substance by illegal miners, they "don't seem to care."

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and anti-galamsey taskforce, Operation Vanguard were alarmed after they discovered waterbodies in Aboso contained a high quantity of cyanide and zinc.

The toxic substances were introduced into the rivers by some illegal miners who have been operating in the community despite the government's campaign against the destructive activity.

EPA officials have explained due to the nature of the pollution, residents have resorted to drinking from the boreholes they have dug in their homes.

But Ohemeng has reported many of the people he spoke to do not care about the activities of the illegal miners.

"Over 100 people are employed in the area so the people pretend as if they haven't heard anything about cyanide but some said it is nothing new," the reporter told Emefa Apawu on Joy FM's Top Story.

At least four people have been arrested in connection with the pollution, Operation Vanguard PRO, Squadron Leader Omane Agyei has said.

"Kudos to personnel of the Forward Operating Base, West.They first have to do recognisance and that one they have to do [it] in plain clothes before they sprung the attack," he said.

But EPA Senior Programme Officer, Moses Musah Kpebu said the situation has been brought under control after the illegal miners were "kicked out of the place."

He said the mining site has been cordoned off to enable investigators, EPA officials, and local authorities to put in place measures "necessary to clean up the water bodies."

Mr Kpebu has cautioned against any campaign that will create panic in the community.

"This is not a spillage [but] rather it is an operation area where they work with cyanide," he said, adding the EPA has not "informed the residents yet."