A hearing has begun in the Darwin Magistrates Court for a man charged over pegging out a mining claim under the cover of darkness near Alice Springs.

In December 2006, Norm McCleary pegged out claims on the Angela Pamela uranium deposits near Alice Springs, potentially worth millions of dollars.

He made the claims just after midnight when government restrictions on the land expired, trumping several key companies in the mining industry.

The Supreme Court later ruled the claims were unlawful because McCleary had trespassed.

McCleary Investments is facing a further 28 criminal charges.

The Northern Territory Mines Department says McCleary entered the land and pegged the claims without seeking the prior authority from the mining warden.